Sportful Dolomiti Race: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The long Gran Fondo of the Sportful Dolomiti Race is a full high-mountain day: 203 kilometres and more than 5,300 metres of climbing across eight major Dolomite ascents with pitches to 28 percent. Preparing for it is less about single peaks than about still being able to climb after seven hours in the saddle.
No date has been announced for the next edition yet. The course, elevation and route profile above are from the most recent edition.
Course & Elevation
The long course of the Sportful Dolomiti Race is among the hardest granfondo routes in Europe, and the organizers openly claim the continent's toughest race as their ambition. The numbers back them up: just over 200 kilometres and more than 6,000 metres of climbing as measured on the 2025 route, with a mere 15 percent of the distance flat.
From the start in Feltre on the southern edge of the Dolomites, the first long climb begins at kilometre 36 and grinds upward for almost 8 kilometres at an average of 6.2 percent. The heart of the race comes between kilometres 77 and 111, a chain of four climbs with barely any recovery between them, throwing up ramps beyond 20 percent and a maximum pitch of 28 percent. At kilometre 125 the biggest single ascent of the day gains a good 500 metres over 7.7 kilometres, followed immediately by another step. And at kilometre 183, with the day's work seemingly done, the Passo Croce d'Aune still rises for nearly 6 kilometres at 6.8 percent past the monument to Tullio Campagnolo, before the final descent drops into Feltre and a finish on the historic Piazza Maggiore.
In between lie long, often steep descents on Dolomite roads that demand as much skill as the climbs. Finishing here means completing a genuine high-mountain day.
Pacing Strategy
The first 36 kilometres are flat: the temptation to burn matches early is the real danger here, because almost nothing but climbing follows. The first big pass at kilometre 36 (nearly eight kilometres at six percent) must stay well under threshold, because the actual rupture comes between kilometre 77 and 133: four ascents in close succession, including pitches to 28 percent at kilometre 106 and the long category-2 climb of over 500 metres at kilometre 125. Ride every pass by feel and watts per kilo, not by the riders around you.
The race is decided on the final climb at kilometre 183 (nearly six kilometres, a good 400 metres of vert), which only those who have eaten and drunk all day reach in shape.
Schedule fuelling at fixed intervals; over an eight-hour day, bonking is more dangerous than any single gradient figure.
Training plan for Sportful Dolomiti Race: 12-week build
Riding the long course of the Sportful Dolomiti Race takes between seven and well over ten hours depending on your level. The demand is one long aerobic day punctuated by climbs of 20 to 45 minutes ridden near threshold, plus ramps beyond 20 percent that briefly force you into anaerobic territory. Almost 13 percent of the route is steep descent, so going downhill is real work here too, both technically and muscularly.
Three phases decide the race: the chain of climbs between kilometres 77 and 111, where any pacing mistake from the morning comes due; the longest ascent starting at kilometre 125; and the Passo Croce d'Aune at kilometre 183, which still demands around 400 metres of climbing after more than six hours in the saddle. Riders who try to win the race on the first passes tend to lose it on the last one.
Build your preparation on long mountain rides with progressively increasing climbing volume, ideally finishing with a deliberately hard final ascent on tired legs to rehearse the Croce d'Aune scenario. Repeated climbing intervals of 20 to 40 minutes just below threshold replicate the passes, while low-cadence strength work prepares you for the steep ramps, for which you should also plan suitably easy gearing. Practise descending on long, winding mountain roads, because that is where time can be gained without spending energy. Dial in a fueling plan for seven-plus hours, since on this distance more riders fail on nutrition than on fitness, and consider heat preparation, as the late-June date can bring hot valley sections.
Course Map
Profile Parameters
Slope Distribution
Climbs on Route
| Start (km) | Length | Ø Gradient | Max Gradient | Elev Gain | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KM 36.0 | 7.9 km | 6.2% | 13.2% | +491m | Cat. 2 |
| KM 77.1 | 5.3 km | 6.4% | 21.9% | +338m | Cat. 2 |
| KM 84.7 | 5.7 km | 6.5% | 19.7% | +368m | Cat. 2 |
| KM 102.8 | 2.2 km | 9.4% | 23.3% | +204m | Cat. 3 |
| KM 106.7 | 4.5 km | 8.3% | 28.0% | +371m | Cat. 2 |
| KM 125.0 | 7.7 km | 6.6% | 12.6% | +506m | Cat. 2 |
| KM 133.5 | 3.3 km | 6.2% | 9.5% | +203m | Cat. 3 |
| KM 182.8 | 5.9 km | 6.8% | 12.6% | +401m | 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.
Course as GPX
Download the Gran Fondo (lungo) course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Adaptive race preparation
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Sportful Dolomiti Race dynamically
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.
Frequently asked questions
How long is Sportful Dolomiti Race?
Sportful Dolomiti Race is 203.64 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
How much elevation gain does Sportful Dolomiti Race have?
Sportful Dolomiti Race has around 6,108 m of elevation gain over 203.64 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Sportful Dolomiti Race?
Sportful Dolomiti Race is classified as Mountainous, averaging 26.1 vertical metres per kilometre. 15% of the route is flat, 34% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 10% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Sportful Dolomiti Race have?
The hardest climb of Sportful Dolomiti Race starts at kilometre 125.1, runs for 7.7 km at an average of 6.6% and gains 506 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 2. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Sportful Dolomiti Race a loop course?
Yes, Sportful Dolomiti Race is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
How should I prepare for Sportful Dolomiti Race?
Preparation for Sportful Dolomiti Race should account for 203.64 km, 6,108 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
What pacing strategy works for Sportful Dolomiti Race?
The pacing strategy for Sportful Dolomiti Race should reflect 203.64 km, 6,108 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
When does Sportful Dolomiti Race next take place?
No date has been announced for the next edition yet. The most recent one was held on June 21, 2026.
Where does Sportful Dolomiti Race take place?
Sportful Dolomiti Race takes place in Feltre, Italy.
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