
The Granfondo Riccione leaves the Adriatic seafront for a loop through the hills where Romagna, the Marche and San Marino meet, then drops back to the beach after 105.7 kilometres. Four clear climbs, one of them timed up to Mondaino, call for preparation that already handles repeated climbing in March.
After a neutral roll-out from Piazzale Roma, racing starts on Via Veneto and climbs almost imperceptibly through the hinterland towards Ospedaletto. At kilometre 13.5 the route crosses into San Marino, and from kilometre 16 comes the longest climb of the day: roughly seven kilometres with stretches around 7 percent past Montegiardino to just over 550 metres, before the course re-enters Italy at kilometre 22.7 and runs over Monte Grimano Terme.
From there the road falls long and steady down the Conca valley through Mercatino Conca and Taverna. The second half is shorter and steeper: from kilometre 50, just under three kilometres averaging almost 10 percent with pitches above 20 percent up to Montefiore Conca, and soon after the ramp to Tavoleto at a little over 400 metres. After a loop through the Foglia valley near Borgo Massano, the timed section starts at kilometre 75, about four kilometres at 6 percent up to Mondaino.
From Mondaino the route heads back to the coast via Saludecio and San Clemente, with one last short rise at kilometre 96, and finishes on Via Caprera in Riccione. It is all tarmac, through small hilltop villages and country roads of the Rimini and Pesaro-Urbino provinces. The organiser is the club Euro Bike Riccione, with the town of Riccione backing the race since its relaunch.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 16.4 | 2.5 km | 7.4 % | 12.6 % | +180 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 19.1 | 1.5 km | 7.4 % | 17.8 % | +111 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 20.8 | 2.7 km | 4.7 % | 10.6 % | +123 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 49.9 | 3 km | 9.6 % | 21.9 % | +291 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 58 | 1.8 km | 5.6 % | 14 % | +99 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 75.1 | 4 km | 6 % | 15.4 % | +236 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 79.6 | 1.3 km | 5.6 % | 13.2 % | +70 m | — |
| km 95.7 | 1.2 km | 6.3 % | 14.3 % | +77 m | — |
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.
The first twelve kilometres are flat enough to save energy in the bunch, and that is exactly what you should do. The long climb into San Marino is the only section where you could ride a steady threshold effort for close to half an hour; ride it just below, because this is where the field breaks apart, and anyone who buys their group too dearly pays for it in the second half.
The descent down the Conca valley is long enough to eat and drink before the ramp to Montefiore Conca. It is short, but with pitches above 20 percent it is the steepest moment of the day: small gear, seated, no attack at the foot. The real trap comes after it. If you want to empty yourself on the timed climb to Mondaino from kilometre 75, ride Montefiore and Tavoleto deliberately under control.
The timed section to Mondaino, four kilometres at 6 percent, is a classic threshold climb. After it the route runs mostly downhill to the coast, and the short hill at San Clemente goes by quickly with a little left in the tank.

Experienced amateurs need roughly 3.5 to 4.5 hours for the Granfondo Riccione. The effort is rolling: one long steady climb early in the race, then a series of short, at times very steep ramps separated by long descents. It asks for a solid aerobic base and the ability to go over threshold repeatedly and recover on the way down.
The second half decides the race. Montefiore Conca, Tavoleto and the timed section to Mondaino come in quick succession between kilometres 50 and 80. Build long rides with the climbing stacked towards the end, for example three to five climbs of three to eight minutes after two hours of endurance riding, and ride the last one as a time trial.
The ramp to Montefiore, with pitches above 20 percent, needs a suitable gear and seated strength at low cadence. Short, very steep repeats of one to two minutes are the targeted session for it. The long descents down the Conca valley and off Mondaino reward confident riding in a group.
The race is in March, early in the season. Plan your winter base so that you are riding hills regularly from February, and expect cool mornings on the coast and possibly rain: the organiser's rules say the race usually goes ahead in the wet. A rain jacket, overshoes and arm warmers belong in the plan.

Download the Granfondo Riccione 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.
Granfondo Riccione is 105.7 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
Granfondo Riccione has around 1,876 m of elevation gain over 105.7 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
Granfondo Riccione is classified as Rolling, averaging 17.8 vertical metres per kilometre. 25% of the route is flat, 28% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 7% is steeper than 6%.
The hardest climb of Granfondo Riccione starts at kilometre 49.9, runs for 3 km at an average of 9.6% and gains 291 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 3. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Yes, Granfondo Riccione is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Yes. The Granfondo Riccione 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 Granfondo Riccione should account for 105.7 km, 1,876 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 Granfondo Riccione should reflect 105.7 km, 1,876 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
Granfondo Riccione takes place on March 21, 2027.
Granfondo Riccione takes place in Riccione, Italy.
Registration runs through the organiser: granfondoriccione.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.