Everyman: The Maratona dles Dolomites is one of the best-known and most beautiful events in the Everyman scene. It was not for nothing that more than 9000 ambitious cyclists from all over the world were out and about on the routes in the Dolomites again this year. Our editor Florian Nowak was also there and tells you how he experienced the race.
On July 2, 2017 at 6:30 a.m. it was that time again, at a cool 5 degrees, 9.129 enthusiastic cyclists from 69 nations went on the three routes of the Maratona dles Dolomites. Among them was Olympic gold medal winner Bradley Wiggins and many other top athletes, such as biathlete Dorothea Wierer. There are 3 routes to choose from for the participants, but you can also decide which route to choose during the journey. Every starter starts with the short distance on the Selle Ronda route, where after 55 km and 1780 hm you cross the finish line for the first time or have reached it. Those who decide to continue can conquer the Campolongo Pass a second time and ultimately have the choice between 106 km and 3130 hm or 138 km and 4230 hm. The worst thing about the whole race is not the big passes, but the Mür DL Giat, an unbelievably steep ramp just before the finish, which doesn't even appear in the elevation profile, or rather, because of the big passes, it literally disappears. The atmosphere here is great, but you really have to give everything to finally reach the finish line in Corvara.
Maratona dles Dolomites 2017 – An unforgettable day
As a licensed racing driver, I have never experienced anything like this. It started when I drove to La Villa a few days before the marathon. There were cyclists everywhere, the cars were backed up behind groups of cyclists, sometimes up to 200 men/women, wherever you looked there were bikes and Maratona dles Dolomites signs and flags - simply indescribable. The first big challenge on the day of the competition was getting up early at almost 4:30 a.m. because you start at 6:30 a.m. and you should also eat something. When I got to the first starting block, I didn't have much time left and then everything happened pretty quickly - bang the starting gun. That's where the agony started, but I had a good day and was having so much fun that I just rode it and really enjoyed every metre. A few small stops at the refreshment stations made it clear that I couldn't finish right at the front, but I just wanted to soak up as many emotions as possible. One thing is certain for me, I will come back! If you are interested in my data, I have also uploaded my Strava file including watt values.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BV9vLwMAFoO/?hl=de&taken-by=flonowak
Maratona dles Dolomites 2018 – Registration possible until November 2nd!
On July 1, 2018, the Maratona will be in its 32nd round and will take place under the motto of balance, the routes will be the same as this year.
More information at: maratona.it/en
Images: Castelli Media Archive/Maratona
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