Cycling the Monte Grappa

When the Italian front was broken in WW1 the troops retreated to Monte Grappa and although crushed and exhausted, heroically built a defense barrier that prevented the Austro-Hungarian army from reaching the Venetian plains.

Nowadays the only battles the mountain sees are those against gravity and although it doesn’t have a long history with the Giro d’Italia it has played host to two summit finishes, firstly in 1968 when Emilio Casalini triumphed and more recently in 2010 when Vincenzo Nibali won. In the 2024 Giro dominated by Tadej Pogacar the Giro stage finishing in Bassano del Grappa went up the Monte Grappa not once, but twice! Pogacar being Pogacar, he led over the Grappa summit both times to finish solo and further solidify his lead.

Racing aside, the mountain is also famous for the Brevetto del Monte Grappa, a challenge to any rider who can complete all ten ascents in the space of a year.

- From Semonzo -

Of the ten ascents we focus on the climb from Semonzo which although not as popular as the ‘classic’ route up Strada Cadorna from Romano d’Ezzelino packs far more punch. Kicking off with a barrage of hairpins the road ramps up through the forest twisting back and forth so rapidly it almost makes you dizzy.

Set on an 8-9% gradient the first nine kilometres are tough, yet harder slopes lie ahead. Following a brief flat section the gradient then rises above 10% and really bites, but the rewards are worth it as the colossal views out over the plains come into sight. With what looks like the whole of Italy laid out beneath you push on up through the final bends to arrive at the wonderful Rifugio Bassano which is just the perfect place for lunch.

This climb stands as one of the most legendary climbs in cycling, having witnessed Tadej Pogačar's stunning victory at the 2024 Giro d'Italia after he conquered its slopes not once, but twice.