Road Bike Kit - Passo Dello Stelvio

About the Mountain

The Passo dello Stelvio is a truly iconic climb in the world of cycling with its legendary status in the Giro d'Italia. The Passo dello Stelvio can be tackled from either Prato or Bormio. The Prato side has the iconic hairpin section closer to the top of the climb.

The Prato side early kilometres have gradients of 4 to 5% but with an average gradient of 7.4% it is a very tough ascent so do not let the less difficult start fool you. Forty eight hairpin turns lead you up to the summit. When you reach Trafoi the gradient begins to increase to around or close to double figures. The section in the Stelvio National Park, amongst the trees, is also a difficult section with gradients ramping up again close to double figures. Towards the summit, the climb opens up to reveal walled sections of ramps between tight hairpin bends. The views back down the climb here are spectacular with the road snaking back down the climb. Be sure to take some warm clothing as the elevation gain means the temperature can very cold at the summit.

The first appearance of the Passo dello Stelvio in the Giro d'Italia was in 1953 on stage 20. The stage started in Bolzano and was won by the legend Fausto Coppi. The climb of the Stelvio featured again in 1956 and 1961 and on both ocassions was won by Charly Gaul. The Passo dello Stelvio was used in the 2014 Giro d'Italia stage 16 when controversy ensued in the snowy conditions. Some of the riders were told the stage was neutralised while others continued to race. The stage was eventually won by Nairo Quintana. In the 2020 Giro d'Italia Team Ineos's Teo Geoghegan Hart battled with Team Sunweb's Jai Hindley and Wilco Kelderman on stage 18. Both Sunweb riders could not get their warm jackets on fully close to the summit of the Stelvio so descended down the cold and fast descent without adequate protection. However Jai Hindley went on to sprint to the stage win at the summit finish while Tao Geoghegan Hart went on to win the 2020 Giro d'Italia.