The Italian Marathon event’s long course is 62.3 km long with a 2,950 Mt elevation gain through woods, forest roads and single tracks in the Lagorai mountain group. The new final descent, debuting in the 2022 edition, was reviewed by Valsugana-born rider Martino Fruet
In mountain biking, the descent is not always the easiest part of a route: indeed, the technical challenges of downhill often make a difference in the outcome of a race.
The GS Lagorai Bike organizers have spread several technical sections over the 62.3 km and 2,950 meters of elevation gain of the Valsugana Wild Ride (July 30th, 2022) Marathon route, but the long and technical final descent to reach Telve, starting and finishing town of the race, has added further intrigue. Seven kilometers of steep and technical trails, to be faced with over 50 km already in the legs, could well be decisive for the race outcome, should a small group be still in contention.
The new downhill section runs through Parise and Telve di Sopra, before the short and steep Fontane ascent leading to the finish line in Piazza Maggiore. Born and raised in Valsugana, Italian veteran rider Martino Fruet is familiar with the Valsugana Wild Ride routes, and took the chance to test the new finale.
“The descent starts in the undergrowth, with terrain made treacherous by pine needles and roots, and very narrow single tracks. After that, the riders will find a more flowing wooded section, with some nice gullies that can be used as banks, before arriving in the section previously affected by the Vaia storm. There the course widens on the new road, but the stones are uneven and speed and gradients increase. The last section is straightforward on cobblestones, concrete, and asphalt, and there riders will reach very high speed.”
The Marathon route will start from Piazza Maggiore in Telve, and after a short walk through the heart of the village, it will climb towards the provincial road of the Manghen Pass through the cobblestones of the S. Antonio climb with peaks of 20%. From there, the route continues on Provincial Road 31 to Malga Pozza, where it enters the woods that divide Val Calamento from the Musiera Plateau.
Reaching Musiera at Km 18, where the Classic (32 km and 1280 meters of elevation gain) and Marathon routes split, the long course proceeds with a single track through high-altitude forests and tree-lined pastures, passing below the summit of Monte Ciste. After several technical passages at high altitude, the first real technical descent begins towards Ponte del Cogno among mule tracks and forest roads, before an 8-kilometer climb to Forcella Mendana, the highest point of the route at 2,100 meters a.s.l. touching alpine pastures and high-altitude streams. From the highest point of the route, we return to Malga Pozza with a technical descent of 9 km on a dirt road before tackling the novelty of the 2022 route.
“It is a very demanding route but full of charm: you are surrounded by fantastic views, and there is the opportunity to have fun. The new final descent will provide excitement right till the end: this year it could even be decisive,” Fruet concluded.
With its two routes, Valsugana Wild Ride combines a competitive soul while showing off the natural beauty of the territory to the fans. Alongside the two races, Valsugana Wild Ride also proposes the ‘Fun&Ride’ event, a non-competitive ride open to all those looking to enjoy the area at their own pace.
Furthermore, on the Sunday preceding the event (July 23rd), a food and wine tourist ride will take place for the second time on the classic race route, also open to e-Bikes, with the sports group’s MTB instructors as guides. A different but still valuable opportunity to enjoy glimpses and flavors of a unique territory.
Telve (Italy), June 23rd, 2022
