We’ve got a full Giro camp, and we’re looking forward to an exciting time following what is often the best Grand Tour of the year. For those of you who weren’t able to pull the trigger before registration closed, there’s always 2013. Of course, if you can’t wait that long to get to Italy, we have 2 climbing camps in Bormio this summer, several Gran Fondo rides in June and July, and lots of amateur racing nearly every weekend.

As a reminder, camp is open this year from June 1 until August 2.

Grazie, e a presto!

Anyway, he writes with admiration for the Monte Grappa, and well he should. It’s a fantastic climb with a very memorable, important, and even mythic reputation for the locals. He is also right in saying that you can’t get a good feeling for the Monte Grappa, let alone the Veneto, in just a quick trip to ride la Pinarello – you have to stay and soak it in. So, if you’re up for some good food and wine, great riding, and fantastic scenery, culture, and history, why not join us in 2012!?

For Grand Tour watchers, we have a Giro d’Italia trip in May. June and August is available for custom tours, and July camp is open as usual. The week following la Pinarello, we’ll head up for a few nights into the Dolomites for some fantastic climbing and a bit of spa relaxation in the afternoons.

So, join our mailing list by filling out the form to the right, browse around the site to learn more about us, or if you’re ready, go ahead and reserve your spot now!

Many of you are joining us (again and again, in some cases) for la Pinarello on July 17th. If you weren’t with us last year, there is a new course and start system, among other changes. The Gran Fondo now starts in central Treviso at the Piazza dei Signori and heads north taking in the Montello and Mostaccin before the route splits. For the truly hardy, the Gran Fondo route heads up the 20% ramps of the Salto della Capra, before descending the north face of Monte Grappa and eventually rejoining the Medio Fondo route as it heads into Valdobbiadene. For us “normal” folks, the Medio Fondo route (recommended, given our foray into the Dolomites the following days) turns east and winds its way up the vineyard hills before a return to Treviso (with a last taste of the Montello for good measure).

Another important change since last year is the limitation on foreign entries. Only 500 foreign riders will be permitted in la Pinarello this year, and this will surely fill up. So to make sure everyone gets the entry they want, please register yourself ASAP. You can visit the la Pinarello site to register on-line, and we will credit your account with $75 as an entry-fee reimbursement.

If you are interested in riding la Pinarello, or another Gran Fondo in Italy, please read our page on Gran Fondos to learn more. Of course, if you’re ready to go, reserve your place now!

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Announced fully today, after months of leaking, the UCI has created the UCI World Cycling Tour (UWCT). Comprised in 2011 of 8 events scattered around the world, these Gran Fondo-like events will serve as qualifiers for the official UCI Amateur World Championships. The UWCT final will be the second weekend in September in Stavelot, Belgium, with several of the Liege-Bastogne-Liege climbs on the route. The UCI has contracted experienced Belgian race promoter and marketing agency Golazo to handle the WCT for them.

The promoters of the previous Masters World Championships have reformed their organization into the World Masters Cycling Federation. The events will go ahead as in previous years, including the Deutschlandsberg World Masters Bike Week events, and the WMCF will crown a world champion. Given that the UCI has now trademarked the rainbow stripes, we’ll have to wait to see what that jersey looks like. As an added benefit, you will no longer need a UCI license to race in St. Johann.

In past years, Velo Veneto riders have always had their registration in the Gran Fondo included. For this year, until we have guarantees from the organization that all of our riders will be included, we are encouraging everyone to register themselves. Because costs already include this fee, all Velo Venetians who send in the receipt from la Pinarello will receive a $75 discount on their 2011 fee.

Registering for la Pinarello

Pinarello are no dummies, and registration is fairly easy and available in English. Visiting the Pinarello Gran Fondo website, click on Booking in the menu bar. On the Booking page, click on the large, yellow “On-line Registration” button.

The registration form is fairly self-explanatory, just fill out all of the required boxes (noted with an asterisk). If you plan on racing in Italy and will therefore have a Velo Veneto UDACE license, or if you are a member of Velo Veneto’s USA Cycling club, add “GS Velo Veneto” in the “Club” box. You should also choose the “commemorative t-shirt” button and select your size.

Your total registration fee will be €52 ($72 as of Feb. 1, 2011), which you can pay with Visa, Mastercard, or American Express. In just a few minutes, you will receive an email confirmation from XEvents (the organizer). Forward this on to us at info@velovento.com and we will credit your account with a $75 discount.

The Day of la Pinarello

The new route also includes a new start system of rolling start times, rather than the previous “everyone at once” style. We will still arrive quite early to help avoid most of the heat of the day and allow everyone to ride at their own pace. This means a 5:30-6:00 am departure from Castelcucco!

After your rather memorable ride, Pinarello provide a great pasta lunch, and as we discovered last year, you never know who might show up with a birthday cake and/or grappa all around! Later in the afternoon, we’ll head back to Castelcucco to clean up and head out for a special dinner to celebrate this great day!

If you’re ready to join us, go ahead and register now!

June

• 5, Gran Fondo Damiano Cunego, Verona, 62km, 98km, 150km
• 12, Gran Fondo Eddy Merckx, Rivalta di Brentino, 106km, 165km
• 19, Sportful Dolomiti Race, Feltre, 122km, 216km
• 26, Fondo B.emme Marathon (Rigioni di Asiago), Asiago, 94km, 134km

July

• 3, Sella Ronda Bike Day, Corvara, 50km (the entire Sella Ronda is closed to cars for this day!)
• 10, Maratona delle Dolomiti, Corvara, 55km, 106km, 138km (pre-entry by drawing only)
• 17, la Pinarello, Treviso, 132km, 205km
• 24, Gran Fondo Bellunese, Sedico, 85km, 150km

August

• 31 July – 6 August, Giro delle Dolomiti, Bolzano, 61-155km (if you are interested in riding the 2011 Giro delle Dolomiti, please contact us ASAP!)

September

• 4, Gran Fondo Monte Grappa, Bassano del Grappa, 96km, 132km (new date!)
• 4, Gran Fondo d’Europa, Venice to Triest, 162km
• 11, Gran Fondo Dolomiti Stars, Arraba, 80km, 135km

First: This season was AWESOME! We had a very fun and enthusiastic group of riders this year, with old and new faces alike. We tried out a few new things like Prosecco tasting with Ruggeri and routes (Gran Fondo Bob, anyone?), while hitting up the usual suspects too (Mariano’s gelato and the Montello). Unfortunately, the Pinarello Gran Fondo was shortened to the Pinarello Medio Fondo due to weather events and road closures, but a good time was had by all anyway. We kicked it up a notch after the ride to help Tete celebrate her birthday at the Pinarello GF pasta feed with cake from Juan (made by Luca) and grappa from the coffee shop guy!

Second: The expanded variety of restaurants was a big hit this year, as was the prosecco tasting, so next year expect even more time out and about in the Veneto. Don’t worry, riding will still be the priority, but no reason not to sample the food, wine, and sights of the region!

Third: We’ve got a few treats in store for next year, both on and off the bike. But the biggest treat, I’m sure you will all agree, is that our rates are coming down!

So in summary, we had a great, fun 2010, 2011 looks even better, and it’s going to cost you less money – how could we not see you in Castelcucco next year!?!?

For the rest of this week, stay tuned (mostly to Facebook) for updates from Interbike – the biggest cycling industry show of the year!

Another reminder, since our package deals include Gran Fondo entry fees, if you are accepted into the 2010 Maratona dles Dolomites, we will credit your 75Euro entry fee towards your camp fee. Let’s go do some serious climbing!

Velo Veneto Racing Camp – Italy – Day Ten: Today we did a 50 mile ride in the Dolomites. We climbed four passes all of which have been included in the Giro at one time or another. I’ll just let the pictures tell their own story. It was a great ending to a fantastic trip.
 

 

Thank you Velo Veneto! Dave Linden
(Our route this day went over Passo Pordoi, Passo Sella, Passo Gardena and Passo Campolongo … ed)