Giro d'Italia 2009 Tour - Final Week
An unforgettable experience
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GIRO D’ITALIA 2009
Giro d’italia 2009—Umbria to Rome/Final Week

There is a love for cycling in Italy that can not be described, it isn’t until you stand amongst a group of cheering Italians that you feel and understand how passionate they are for the sport. This is what makes the Giro one of the greatest races of all to see live. The 2009 Giro d’italia will be celebrating 100 years this May and the list of contenders for its maglia rosa include Armstrong, Basso, Sastre, Simoni, Di Luca, Brusehin and Menchov. Armstrong’s return after almost four years will certainly make this one of the most exciting Giro d’italia races ever.

Gruppetto Tours is offering a nine day trip covering the last week of the 2009 Giro d'italia, including several pivotal mountain stages and the ITT in Rome. This is one of our performance trips with over 250 miles of riding, including the Mounte Petrano, Blockhaus and Mounte Vesuvio, the Amalfi Coast and many great kilometers of riding in between. Experience the thrill of the last week of the Giro in Umbria, Abruzzo, Amalfi Coast and Rome.

Sunday, May 24th: Arrivals
Guests will be greeted at the Fossato Vico-Gubbio train station and shuttled to our hotel in Gubbio. Staff will be on hand to help you get your bikes ready for the exciting week ahead. We will have an evening reception and group dinner near the hotel. Gubbio is classic Umbria hill-town, retaining much of its medieval appearance. The Ceri Race Festival 2009 and the competition of the Crossbow of Gubbio are traditions of great importance. In the "Piazza Grande", the last Sunday of May the "balestrieri" (crossbow competitors) are challenging their Tuscan colleagues of Sansepolcro in an antique competition of shooting. Today we will be able to experience the excitement of this festival.

Hotel: Gubbio
Dinner: Group reception/dinner Bosone Gardens

Monday, May 25th: Stage 16
Pergola > Monte Petrano
We will catch the stage route in Cantiano, riding the last 50kms and the last two climbs (Monte Catrina and Monte Petrano) of today’s long and mountainous 237km stage. Even though today’s ride will only be 50kms it will not be easy with over 6,000 ft of elevation gain. The climb up Monte Petrano is steep with an average 8% grade and 10.4kms. Gruppetto Tours’ staff will be waiting for you near the flat top of Monte Petrano. We will have a picnic lunch of local cheese, salamis, pasta and wine and watch the mountain top finish.

After the stage finish we will return to our hotel in Gubbio for massage and try a few regional specialties.

Today’s Ride: Gubbio > Cagli – 50km / 31 miles - over 6,000ft elevation gain.
Giro Live Viewing: mountaintop finish on Mont Petrano
Hotel: Gubbio

Tuesday, May 26th: Giro Rest Day
This morning we will ride through the lush green hills around Gubbio. Much touted as the 'new Tuscany' Umbria is renowned for its unspoiled beauty.

We will have lunch in town before packing up and transferring to our second destination in the Maielle National Park and near tomorrow’s stage. Caramanico Terme is known for its therapeutic mineral water and natural spas. Your soigneur will be on hand this evening to give you a rub down in preparation for Blockhaus. The hotel also offers a wellness center with saunas and Jacuzzis.

Today’s Ride: Gubbio > Gubbio - 50kms / 31 miles
Giro Live Viewing: none-Giro rest day
Hotel: Caramanico Terme

Wednesday, May 27th: Stage 17
Chieti > Blockhaus
Today stage is very unusual—only 79kms with 30kms of the stage being the gruesome climb up to the stage finish on Blockhaus. Short stages mean intense stages and you can guarantee that many riders will be very nervous about today’s stage, especially the riders in the top GC. Intense also means exciting—especially for us.

You will have the chance to ride up Blockhaus and then watch the exciting finish at the summit. Expect the stage route to be teeming with Italian and international fans.

We will return to our hotel and relish in the local cuisine and wine over stories of the day.

Today’s Ride: Sant’ Eufemia > Blockhaus > Sant’ Eufemia - 68kms / 42 miles – 5,800ft elevation gain
Giro Live Viewing: Mountaintop finish at Blockhaus
Hotel: Caramanico Terme

Thursday, May 28th: Stage 18
Sulmona > Benevento
We will enjoy another wonderful ride today through the Maielle National Park this morning. This national park is wild with deep valleys, bare rock and one of Europe’s largest caves.

Sulmona, host to today’s Giro start, will be bustling with activity. We will head to the start early so you can get up and close to the teams and rider.

After the stage start we will transfer to our hotel in Positano on the Amalfi Coast. Listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, the coastline is renowned for its rugged terrain, scenic beauty, and picturesque towns. Making it a scenic backdrop for our ride. It is also on tomorrow’s Giro course.

Today’s ride: Caramanico Terme > Caramanico Terme – 60kms / 37 miles
Giro Live Viewing: stage 18 start in Sulmona
Hotel: Positano

Friday, May 29th: Stage 19
Avellino > Vesuvio
Today is the last chance for the climbers, with the last mountaintop finish of the 2009 Giro d’italia, and what better finish than the top of Monte Vesuvio. This volcano dominates the Amalfi coastline.

You will ride the last 77kms of today’s 164km stage beginning from our hotel in Positano. Gruppetto Tours’ staff will have a great spot on top of Monte Vesuvio with a picnic prepared and waiting for you. We will share a few bottles of wine and watch what is guaranteed to be a great finish.

Today’s ride: 77kms / 47 miles – 4,500ft elevation gain
Giro Live Viewing: mountaintop finish on Monte Vesuvio
Hotel: Positano

Saturday, May 30th: Stage 20
Napoli > Anagli
Today’s relatively flat stage starts in Napoli and heads north along the coast before heading inland. You will have the opportunity to ride 80kms of today’s stage, beginning in Cassino and ending at the stage finish in Anagli. We will get a real treat, as the riders will pass through Anagli twice.

After the stage we will drive to our hotel in Roma.

Today’s Ride: 80kms / 50 miles
Giro Live Viewing: twice in Anagli including stage finish
Hotel: Roma

Sunday, May 31: Stage 21
Roma ITT
A Giro d’italia finish in Roma! You will be there alongside the ancient ruins to watch Armstrong, Cunego, Di Luca, Simoni, Sastre, Basso and all the other favorites go against the clock on this 15.3km finale. Will the owner of the maglia rosa keep their jersey today?

We will have our final celebration dinner together.

Monday, June 1: Departures
Guests will be shuttled to the Roma/Fiumicino airport.

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TRIP DETAILS
Giro 2009 Final Week

Duration: 9 days, 8 nights
Dates: May 24 – June 1
Pick-up: Fossato Vico-Gubbio Train Station
Drop-off: Roma/Fiumicino Airport
Live Stage Viewing: 6 stages
Total Mileage: 403kms / 250 miles
Price: 3100 euros
Single-occupancy Supplement: 400 euros

Included:
Sport Massage
Fully supported rides
All Accommodations
All Breakfasts, 4 lunches, 6 dinners, snacks
All Travel within trip dates

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Photos by: TDWsport.com