Seven editions ago the Giro finished in Aprica for the last time. Mikel Landa won the stage ahead of Steven Kruijswijk and Alberto Contador. The route was completey different though. Aprica served as finish climb, while this years stage is supposed to end with a technical descend from the Passo di Santa Cristina.
The race kicks into gear in Salò on Lake Garda and enters the first climb, Goletto di Cadino, shortly leaving the shores of Lake Idro. It’s a huge test of almost 20 kilometres to the highest point of the day, at almost 2,000 metres above sea level. The route then descends to Capo di Ponte to follow the Oglio river upstream.
In Edolo the Passo del Mortirolo begins as a false flat before gradually becoming steeper. The gradients start to kick up after Monno, which is the official foot of the ascent. This is known as the easiest side of the Mortirolo, which still stands for 12.6 kilometres of climbing at 7.6%.
After descending to Mazzo and a section in the valley of the Adda river the short climb to Teglio appears. The riders then fly back into the valley to tackle the Passo di Santa Christina. This is a climb on a very narrow road with the gradients constanty hovering around 10% in the last 5 kilometres. The downhill is just as narrow until the riders reach the main road in San Pietro. The run-in to Aprica is relatively easy.
Ride the route yourself? Download GPX stage 16 Giro.
Another interesting read: results 16th stage 2022 Giro d’Italia.
Giro d’Italia 2022 stage 16: route, profile, more
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amazing mountainous areas I lived in Trentino for many years and appreciated these areas.