13th Granfondo Straducale, 26 June in marvellous Urbino, Unesco world heritage. The organizers have in fact decided to propose again the paths of 2013, much appreciated by cyclists: the long path, 175 km long and a gap of 3770m in height, leads to face both the Catria and the Nerone, the medium one 130km long and a gap of 2518m, that will have the Nerone as symbolic climb, and the short one, 73km and a gap of 996m.
Big novelty of this year the double start from piazza Mercatale: at 8 a.m. both the long and medium one will start, while the short one starts at 8.30. After the up and down of the Capute and the small climb of Fangacci, Rocca Leonella will be faced.
Upon the arrival in Secchiano the long-distance cyclists will turn left towards Cagli’s built-up area, after which the path continues to Buonconsiglio to start up the Catria, that will be confronted from the most dreadful side, the Mandrale: 11 km with a gap of 840metri and an average slope gradient of 7,65%. This side can be divided in two parts: the first six kilometres with about 500m of height gap start from Cà D’Eusepio (beginning of the slope) and arrive to Valpiana and the remaining 5 kilometres, with a gap of 340m, reach the hill top crossing. The first three kilometres have an average slope gradient of about 6.5-7%, with some points even at 8%. It will therefore be a good thing not to overdo it and not to force the pace too much. At the third kilometre probably begins the toughest part of the entire Straducale: three kilometres with an average slope gradient of 11,5% and peaks that go past the 16-17%, reaching even more than 20%. It’s the Mandrale part, to be climbed at one’s own pace. Valpiana comes next, where the path levels out (slope gradient of 4-5%) for about one kilometre and than starts rising again till the top. The worst is now over even if there still are parts at 7.5-8%. This last part is not to be underestimated, because even if more practicable the risk of getting heavy legs is big. After crossing the top, the descent towards Chiaserna begins, alternating fast sections with more technical ones with sharp hairpin bends.
Having faced the Palcano climb, the cyclists will come face to face with Your Grace the Nerone, that will be tackled from the Pianello side: 13,2 km with a height gap of 1009m and an average slope gradient of 7.7%. It’s a much steadier climb than the Catria, but also very exposed to sun and wind. Should it be warm, it will thus be convenient to stop at the fountain in Pianello to take one’s fill of water. The first kilometre of ascent is quite practicable (about 3-4% average), but after about 100m of descent the real ascent will start: up to the top the slopes will be constant (8-8,5%), but one must be wary of the sun, fatigue and wind (the last tree is at the 5th kilometre and there won’t be others till minus 2). After crossing the top the path goes back to Urbino, passing Piobbico and then facing the climb of Monte Cagnero and the final one of the Capute.
The medium path, after Rocco Leonella, at Secchiano (parting from the long path) turns right towards Pianella to tackle the Nerone and then turn back on the same street of the granfondo route.
The short path parts from the other two shortly after Piobbico, at kilometre 40, to then turn back towards Urbino dealing with the Mount Cagnero and the Capute.
Registration: 30€ till the 28 February and then 35€ up to the 24 June 12 a.m. All this online on the KronoService website, or through the website of the event, that is a test of the Marche Marathon – the Ciclo Promo Components – the Trofeo Named Sport – of the InBici Top Challenge, of the Unesco Cycling Tour and the national tournament Mediofondo and Granfondo Acsi.
Further information and updates available on the website so as on the facebook page of the event.
