The Alps profile cuts the horizon of Piazza Galimberti, the central square of Cuneo which saw, in the early morning of June 10th 1949, Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali starting the stage that was about to became one of Giro’s most legendary one.

As in that morning, we’ll head towards the Stura Valley and the fortress of Vinadio (XIX century), leaving the original track to climb the Colle della Lombarda, which launched Vincenzo Nibali to conquer the Maglia Rosa in Giro 2016. Once descended in France, it will be the turn of the very long climb of the Cime de la Bonette, one of Europe’s highest road overcoming 2800 meters of altitude in his lunar landscape of incredible beauty.

In Jausiers, lying in the Ubaye Valley we will be on the original track of 1949 stage, with Vars and Izoard quickly succeeding before reaching Briançon and his ancient city, fortified by Sun King’s architect Vauban, nowadays in the list of UNESCO World Heritage.

We will prefer the quiet Clarée Valley to the busy Montgenèvre, heading back to Italy by the Colle della Scala, taking us at the foot of the iconic Colle delle Finestre, a symbol of modern cycling thanks to Chris Froome’s incredible attack in Giro 2018.

The Colle delle Finestre and his 8 kilometers gravel road will be our last climb: to reach Pinerolo we’ll ride down the entire Chisone Valley, with our hearts and eyes full of the beauty and history of the Western Alps.