Crans-Montana hosted its last stage finish of a major cycling contest ten years ago. Bauke Mollema climbed to victory on the Tour de Suisse. The Dutchman finished half a minute ahead of a chase group featuring among others Thibaut Pinot and the late Michele Scarponi.
The route from Borgofranco d’Ivrea to Crans-Montana is fairly straightforward. The riders traverse the Po plain in northerly direction. The only obstacle is a 3.5 kilometres climb at 5% to Saint-Vincent. The route then turns west to head for Aosta, which is where the sheer endless haul up the Colle del Gran San Bernardo starts.
The Great Saint Bernard Pass peaks out at 2,469 metres. The ascent adds up to 34.2 kilometres, while the average gradient sits at 5.5%. An equally long downhill brings the riders back down to the foot of the Croix de Coeur, which is yet another giant: 20.8 kilometres long and averaging 7%. The gradients are even more intimidating, as the first 5 kilometres don’t really count. The last 5 kilometres on the other hand go up at 10.1%
The route descends to Riddes and 24 kilometres on the flat later the finish climb kicks in. The ascent to ski resort Crans-Montana is 15.9 kilometres long and averaging 7.2%.
The Colle del Gran San Bernardo will be the Cima Coppi (the highest point) on the 2023 Giro d’Italia.
Ride the route yourself? Download GPX stage 13 2023 Giro d’Italia.
Giro d’Italia 2023 stage 13: route, profile, more
Click on the images to zoom
