It's the event of the
year - the great race across the Alps. May 26 - June 2, 02
This
first-ever, week-long race crosses the roads, the valleys and
crests of the Alps, from Courmayeur to Cortina, on foot, by
bike and on skis. All at high altitude.
This incredible race, one of the major events
in the International Year of the Mountains 2002 calendar, involves
teams of three who will cover 500 km and 23,000 meters of vertical
climb in eight stages over courses that unite adventure, performance
and orienteering.
The rules are simple and logical: up to 2,000m
the most appropriate means should be used (road bike, mountain
bike or running). From 2,000m to 3,000m skyrunning is the order
of the day. After that, it's skis or mountaineering - depending
on the conditions.
The
course
The bike stage summits passes in the Central Alps and the Dolomites,
the skyrunning leg races up and down the valleys of the ancient
Walser civilization in the west and in Valtellina, further east.
The spectacular mountaineering and ski-mountaineering sections
traverse the Monte Rosa, Bernina, Marmolada and Cristallo mountain
ranges.
The stages
AOSTA VALLEY
1. Courmayeur - Grand S Bernardo Pass; Valpelline - Cervinia
2. Cervinia - Cime Bianche - Gressoney
PIEDMONT
3. Gressoney, Lago Gabiet - Monte Rosa - Alagna - Passo del
Turlo, Macugnaga
4. Macugnaga - Val Formazza - S Giacomo Pass
LOMBARDY
5. Sondrio - Pizzo Bernina - Lago Moro
6. Bormio - Stelvio Pass
TRENTINO
7. Canazei - Fedaia Pass - Marmolada
VENETO
8. Alleghe - Falzarego Pass - Cristallo - Tre Croci - Cortina
This
first-ever, week-long race crosses the roads, the valleys and
crests of the Alps, from Courmayeur to Cortina, on foot, by
bike and on skis. All at high altitude.
The
course