
The Dolomiti Superbike Short is an alpine MTB loop with several sustained climbs and a particularly demanding final ascent. Riders who want to experience the Dolomites in control need endurance, a steady climbing rhythm and reserves for the descents.
The loop starts and finishes in Niederdorf and crosses the Dolomites on changing road and forest-road sections. Two defining climbs arrive early, first from around kilometre 1.2 for about 3.2 kilometres, then from roughly kilometre 4.7 for just under 2.9 kilometres. Together they demand disciplined use of strength from the opening part.
The middle spreads the workload across shorter rollers and links before the decisive climb begins at kilometre 36.9. At almost 6.8 kilometres it is the longest major ascent and comes after substantial climbing has already accumulated. The loop has almost no net elevation change; the roughly 1,530 metres of climbing represent real work.
The official download page describes the course as a 60-km Dolomiti Superbike route with 1,570 metres of ascent. This is MTB in a high-mountain setting: changing weather, cool shaded sections and variable surfaces belong in the plan alongside the scenery.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 1.2 | 3.2 km | 8.7 % | 13.5 % | +278 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 4.7 | 2.9 km | 7.9 % | 15.5 % | +225 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 8.1 | 0.8 km | 4.1 % | 5.3 % | +33 m | — |
| km 9.3 | 0.6 km | 6.1 % | 9.9 % | +36 m | — |
| km 12.3 | 1.1 km | 5 % | 6.4 % | +55 m | — |
| km 21.5 | 1.4 km | 3.5 % | 5.1 % | +48 m | — |
| km 33.1 | 1 km | 3.3 % | 3.8 % | +34 m | — |
| km 36.9 | 6.8 km | 8 % | 11.7 % | +543 m | Cat. 2 |
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself (length and gradient) regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
Keep the first two climbs deliberately below the red line. They arrive close to the start and make it easy to be carried away by a group; steady pressure on long ramps is more valuable than repeated surges. Use the easier links to eat and settle the legs for the second half.
The race is decided on the long climb from kilometre 36.9. Divide it into manageable sections and keep the cadence stable on changing surfaces. The main trap is treating descents as complete recovery: technical focus and braking still cost energy even when the gradient is negative.
Changing weather and temperature should also influence your drink and clothing choices.

Plan for a roughly three- to five-hour MTB effort for the Short, depending on riding skill and conditions. The profile is mainly aerobic endurance, interrupted by steeper ramps and accelerations. Alongside steady kilometres, include controlled surges without turning every climb into an all-out effort.
Make long climbing blocks the centre of preparation, especially when they come after a tiring first half. Build rides with two early climbs and a longer closing block. Practise eating while climbing and holding an even effort; that protects you from fading on the ascent from kilometre 36.9.
Give descents and variable surfaces dedicated practice. Ride technical sections fresh at first, then repeat them after a climbing workout so vision, braking control and line choice remain reliable under fatigue. Support this with easy endurance days and enough recovery.
Prepare flexibly for the Dolomites: practise clothing and nutrition for warm exposed sections as well as cool shaded areas and weather changes. Test the complete setup on forest roads rather than introducing new tyres, pressures or clothing on race day.

Download the Dolomiti Superbike course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Ben connects your goal, the course, current load, recovery, and calendar. Your plan stays pointed at race day even when real life is not perfectly plannable.
Dolomiti Superbike is 60 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
Dolomiti Superbike has around 1,536 m of elevation gain over 60 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
Dolomiti Superbike is classified as Mountainous, averaging 25.6 vertical metres per kilometre. 11% of the route is flat, 36% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 12% is steeper than 6%.
The hardest climb of Dolomiti Superbike starts at kilometre 36.9, runs for 6.8 km at an average of 8% and gains 543 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 2. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Yes, Dolomiti Superbike is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Yes. The Dolomiti Superbike course is on this page as a free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
Preparation for Dolomiti Superbike should account for 60 km, 1,536 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
The pacing strategy for Dolomiti Superbike should reflect 60 km, 1,536 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
Dolomiti Superbike takes place on July 10, 2027.
Dolomiti Superbike takes place in Villabassa, Italy.
Dolomiti Superbike offers 3 distances — Short 60 km: 60 km; Medium 85 km: 85 km; Long 123 km: 123 km.
Registration runs through the organiser: dolomitisuperbike.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.