Exciting news for LaStelvioSantini, starting with route modifications due to significant roadworks excluding the ascent of Teglio from the routes.
LaStelvioSantini renew itself, not just in name. Participants in the Valtellina event will be able to choose from three routes. All three routes have undergone changes due to major roadworks involving Tirano’s new bypass.
“As is well known, the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics will involve Bormio, hosting the men’s alpine skiing and ski mountaineering events. To accommodate such an event, significant roadworks have already been initiated to improve high Valtellina’s viability and better welcome guests and athletes from around the world” – comments Mario Zangrando, President of the US Bormiese Cycling section – “and the side effects of these construction sites also affect our event, forcing us to modify our routes. With this new scenario, we have designed alternative routes that we are confident will meet the approval of our participants. New climbs will not be lacking! The kilometers covered will be slightly less for Long and Medium routes, but the elevation gain will still be very significant. So no Teglio, but everyone will climb to the village of Sondalo (2 easy kilometers), while those who have chosen Medium and Long will face the unprecedented ascent of Vervio-Rogorbello (3,2 very challenging kilometers). For all routes, to reach Bormio, the climb of San Bartolomeo (3,5 kilometers… a surprise!) awaits.”
The two key points common to all routes remain unchanged: the start from Bormio and the finish at the 2.757 meters of the Stelvio Pass. The main modification concerns the absence of the “historical” Teglio climb, while the challenging ascent to Guspessa-Mortirolo Pass remains for those choosing the event’s most demanding option. All routes will undergo a change: the long route becomes 130 kilometers with 4.270 meters of elevation gain, the medium route is 108 kilometers with an elevation gain of 3.050 meters. The short route will be 64 kilometers with 2.280 meters of elevation gain.
With the modification of some routes and especially for the message LaStevioSantini wants to convey, it was deemed appropriate to also intervene on the rankings: “The only valid ranking for the awards will be the climb from Bormio to Stelvio, as a synthesis of the entire event” – added Paola Santini, marketing manager of Santini Cycling – “and not including the hill climb on the Mortirolo is a clear signal of how we would like our participants to interpret the ‘new’ Stelvio Santini.” The personal time of each participant along the entire chosen route will still be recorded, as per FCI regulations, but this will not be part of a ranking.
