Brutal 2018 Tour of the Alps Pro Race Revealed

Second edition features five stages over 714 kms with a whopping 13,100 meters of climbing, as the race honours the late Michele Scarponi. Team Sky's Geraint Thomas to defend his title

10 categorized climbs, the Tour of the Alps features all the elements of a modern race, that continues after the success of the 2017 race confirms the spectacular formula made up of short and intense routes.

The start of the 2018 Tour of the Alps returns to it origins in Giro del Trentino, in the beautiful city of Arco, near to the North Lake Garda shores.

After the teams’ official presentation,  the 1st stage, that will take the peloton through the Folgaria plateau, before tackling the final climb of the Alpe Cimbra, with a spectacular finish suited to punchy climbers.

The race remains in Trentino for stage 2, whith a short trip from Lavarone to one of the iconic mountains of Italian cycling, the Alpe di Pampeago, in Val di Fiemme, where the only uphill finish of the Tour of the Alps is located. Before facing the final ascent, the riders will have to endure a severe warm up on the Redebus Pass, Tuesday April 17th will certainly be one of the crucial days of the event.

Südtirol will welcome the race on stage 3, unning from Ora/Auer to the finish in the Merano/Meran city center. It should be a less demanding day, in spite of two significant Passes, the Mendola and the Palade placed quite a distance from the stage finish.

Chiusa/Klausen will be the start of stage 4, after the first categorized climb of the day,the Terento, the race will cross the Austrian border for an exciting finale in East Tyrol, with the climbs of the Anras and the Bannberg before another scenic finish in Lienz’s Hauptplatz.

Geriant Thomas, was the King of the first Tour of the Alps, the Welshman took the jersey with his brutal acceleration to the finish of stage 3 in Funes. He managed to maintain it through the last couple of days in spite of the attacks, also thanks to an amazing Mikel Landa winner of the last Giro del Trentino in 2016.

Both Geriant Thomas and Mikel Landa will lead their teams’ rosters, and a strong and highly competitive field of contenders is certainly to be expected.

Stage 1 – Monday April 16th
Arco – Folgaria, km 134,6
Altitude: 2530m. Difficulty: ***

Stage 2 – Tuesday April 17th
Lavarone – Fiemme/Alpe di Pampeago km 145,5
Altitude: 2900m. Difficulty: ****

Stage 3 – Wednesday April 18th
Ora/Auer – Merano/Meran km 138,3
Altitude: 2600m. Difficulty: **

Stage 4 – Thursday April 19th
Chiusa/Klausen – Lienz km 134,3
Altitude: 2300m. Difficulty: ***

Stage 5 – Friday April 20th
Rattenberg – Innsbruck km 161,6
Altitude: 2770m. Difficulty: ***