Day 1: Garmisch (D) to Zams (AT)
After the official opening the teams start their tour individually. We pedal easily to Mittenwald with a moderate incline. The Buchener Sattel is the first real alpine challenge for us. As a reward we can enjoy a rapid descent to Telfs in the Inn valley. We follow the Inn on a well-paved cycle path to our destination in Zams.
After leaving Mittenwald, Track 2 turns towards Seefeld and will climb the Möserer Sattel on its way to Telfs. Close to our destination, behind Haimig, there are two more climbs to cycle, the Sautenser Höhe and finally the Imsterberg with a quite challenging ascent in the beginning.
Day 2: Zams (AT) to Santa Maria (CH)
Today we cycle for a long time along the river Inn, passing Landeck, Ried and Pfunds and finally reach Martina in swiss canton Graubünden. Here we climb the Norbertshöhe to Nauders and Reschen Pass. We cycle along Lake Reschen with its sunken church tower on marvellous cycle paths, before we head for the Vintschgau and later turn into Val Müstair to Santa Maria.
Track 2 detours at Fließ to the Pillerhöhe.
Day 3: Santa Maria (CH) to Sondrio (IT)
The day starts with a climb to the Umbrail mountain pass. Ambitious cyclists can climb the last couple of meters to famous Passo Stelvio. Track 2 climbs Stelvio by conquering the most famous 48 turns via Prad. The following long descent to Bormio requires your full attention and good brakes. The rest of the day we cycle always with a slight descent through the valley of the river Adda, passing Tirano and Sondrio, to our destination of the day.
Track 2 detours for the last couple of kilometers to a beautiful panorama street, the Strada del Vino della Valtellina, crossing the famous wine producing area at the foot of the mountains.
Day 4: Sondrio (IT) to Como (IT)
The last cycling day starts like the previous has ended, cycling at the river Adda. At Colico we see Lake Como for the first time, and he will stay (almost) always in sight. After passing Dervio and Bellano we reach Varenna, where we take the ferry to Bellagio. On the peninsula we cycle along the western coast with gorgeous lake views, to Como, our final destination of the tour.
Track 2 detours to the famous sanctuary of Madonna del Ghisallo, well knows by many road cyclists. A last mountain, Colma di Sormano, is waiting for us. If you need some more thrill (and if you have very good legs), you can climb the Muro di Sormano with an average ascent of 17% and maximum of 25%.
Day 5: Como (Departure day)
In the morning the bus shuttle will bring us and the bikes back to the starting point in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, where everybody departs individually.
The tracks of the different stages differ in general regarding their length and the climb as well as the surface.
A detailed description can be found here:
Track 1
Recommended for all kinds of bikes including road bikes. Only paved roads on the track. Shorter and less challenging than track 2.
Track 2
Recommended in particular for road bikes, the distance is longer and more climb than on track 1.
