Roundtrip Marmotte Sestrière
(93 km/2550 altimeters)
Following the well-known La Marmotte, Italy has its own similar cyclo since 2015, La Marmotte Sestrière. A round tour which is driven entirely in Italy and starts at less than one hour drive from Puy Saint Vincent. The Colle delle Finestre is the main col of this tour and also the highest point (Cima Coppi) of the Giro d'Italia in 2015.
The round trip starts in Cesane Torinese, just across the border after Montgenèvre. The climb of the Colle delle Finestre begins 35 kilometers after the start, at Susa. The Colle delle Finestre is 18.5 kilometers long with 1700 altimeters, has an average gradient of 9.2% and a maximum of 14%. From the beginning the road climbs steep, and after a while a gradient of 8% feels suddenly friendly. The fact that makes this climb extremely challenging, but also unique, are the last 7.8 kilometers on a dirt road. After this huge steep climb there is another mountain waiting to be climbed, Sestriere from Pragelato. This climb with a length of 9.2 kilometers with an average gradient of 5.4% is easier compared to the Finestre. From Sestriere the only thing left is a quietly descend back to Cesane Torinese. During the trip you will encounter several villages, most importantly, take some time for a delicious coffee or cappuccino.
