Giro del Trentino - Ciclismo

Unlike 2012 Giro del Trentino’s further three stages already unveiled, the 36th edition opening day-race from Riva del Garda to Arco looks same as last year, but in name only. Riders shall cover the identical 15.5 km course between the two Trento province’s resorts indeed (with dozen bends, whereof half reducing the speed with an estimated 55 km/h overall average), but not individually this time.

Team-time-trial going on first out of four stages - scheduled on Tuesday, April 17th -  establishes an absolute event’s “premiere” and a great opportunity for riders looking forward Giro d’Italia stage4 – a 32,5 km TTT in Verona – that is enough to turn Trentino’s opening day into an outstanding dress rehearsal.

TTT unprecedented competition became a functional choice from an organizational standpoint too. Since individual time trial outlasted the team competition a  lot, this means a considerable lower impact on Northern Garda Lake citizens’ circulation.

The Team-time-trial on Trentino’s  Garda roads will be the very first of several key-moments that Italian four-day stage race have in store for riders and fans. The following days the unknown finish in Sant’Orsola Terme and the stricking "Punta Veleno" climb - with an average gradient ascent almost constantly over 14% - call the main favourites to break cover ahead of Friday’s climax topping the 2239 m Passo Pordoi, an amazing grand final passing by the charm of Garda Lake to enchanting Dolomites.

Photo: Liquigas-Cannondale team, awaited in Trentino, in the action at last Giro d'Italia's TTT (by Bettini)