Stelvio,

a magical "Inferno"

The Stelvio is the living history of the Giro. An ode to cycling. A favourite for thousands of cycling fans around the world. Its 48 tornanti on the ascent from Prato are magic in numbers. A clear before and an after for all those who "conquer" its summit, the Cima Coppi.

Not for nothing, the mountain pass is steeped in history. It was included in the route of the Giro for the first time in 1953. When it was described as "really barbaric". Today's advances unavailable back then! During that Bolzano-Bormio, an immense Fausto Coppi came from behind to overtake Swiss rider Hugo Coblet in the general classification. One of many feats at the Il Campionissimo. Today, the highest point at each edition of the Giro d'Italia is called the Cima Coppi in homage to Fausto. But the Stelvio Pass, at 2,758 m, is the summit par excellence.

1975 also produced an image for the history books. On that occasion, the great colossus set the stage for the end of the Giro, the finishing line. Paco Galdós started 40" behind Fausto Bertoglio in the pink jersey. The Basque rider tried every possible way to leave his rival behind. He was not successful. The finish produced one of the most striking images in cycling: a crestfallen and dejected Paco Galdós crossing the finish line atop the Stelvio. With Bertoglio crossing in second, raising his arms in victory.

The origin of the Stelvio Pass dates back to the beginning of the 19th century. Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria wanted to link Valvenosta with Milan (at that time part of Austria) through the Valtellina valley. He commissioned the work to Carlo Donegani, a true wizard of highway engineering at the time. Donegani faced countless problems due to the rough terrain and extreme conditions. Emperor Ferdinand was amazed. The work was completed in 3 years and became the highest passable mountain pass in Europe, until the Col de l'Iseran in 1937 (2,770 m).

But Stilfersjoch (Stelvio in Austrian) hid more secrets: a series of forts to avoid ceding supremacy in such a strategic location: Gomagoi, Klein Boden and Weisser Knott, now in a dilapidated state, remind us of the reason for such madness. The Stelvio Pass was passable all year round until 1915, thanks to the hard work of the "snow removal" squads that kept it open. After the armistice of 4 November 1918 at Villa Giusti, it passed into Italian hands. And thus lost its original purpose and has since remained closed during the winter months.

During the First World War, the whole area was the scene of intense battles. Today, ruins of buildings and several memorials to the fallen still stand. From a time when so many prisoners were forced into hard labour to keep the route open and allow tanks to pass through. The snow and cold weather took their toll.

Today, the Stelvio Pass is a colossus, inflicting suffering on any cyclist who dares to take it on. Things can get complicated, "blowing" a breeze in your face that makes even the most experienced climber despair. And just when it seems to be all over, the temperature drops suddenly, turning the descent into a freezing penance. The heat suffered during the eternal ascent a pleasant memory.

But ultimately, it's still worth enjoying every one of its 48 bends. As if they were pages in a book. Odd numbers facing east, even numbers facing west. Some pages shorter and more intense. Others longer and quieter. Sights set on that tiny house at the top, which gets bigger and bigger, as if it were a balloon inflated by our breath. Ours and that of the soldiers, peasants and traders who once gave it meaning, and today that of cyclists, skiers, motorcyclists, tourists and mountaineers who have turned it into a place of pilgrimage, a place that will put a smile on your face.