Seventeen appearances in the Giro d’Italia, gradients reaching nearly 20%, and a climb forever linked to Marco Pantani.

Mortirolo is more than just a mountain road

This August, the legendary climb will welcome cycling enthusiasts for two special days dedicated to sport, tourism and the culture of cycling.  For many fans, Mortirolo is inseparable from the name of Pantani. The “Pirate’s” unforgettable attacks on its slopes helped turn the climb into a global cycling icon, so much so that it is often referred to as “Cima Pantani“. Along the ascent from Mazzo di Valtellina stands the famous monument dedicated to the Italian champion, a landmark visited every year by thousands of cyclists paying tribute to one of the most beloved figures in the history of the Giro.  More than three decades after the exploits that built its legend, Mortirolo is set to host two special events celebrating cycling, territory and passion.

Cycling Tourism and Territory 

The first event will take place on Thursday, August 27 at 6:00 pm in Chiuro (Sondrio) with the conference “Cycling Tourism and Territory“, focusing on the bicycle as a driver of local development and economic growth. Special guest Davide Cassani, together with other leading figures from the cycling world, will discuss how roads that became famous through the Giro d’Italia can continue to create opportunities for local communities and businesses.

Ride with Ivan Gotti on Mortirolo

On Friday, August 28, attention will shift to the legendary slopes of Mortirolo. As part of Enjoy Stelvio Valtellina, the road will be closed to motorized traffic from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm, allowing cyclists to enjoy the climb in complete safety.
Riders will depart from Mazzo di Valtellina between 9:30 and 10:00 am for a special ride alongside Ivan Gotti, winner of the 1997 and 1999 Giro d’Italia. The event celebrates the 30th anniversary of Gotti’s historic Mortirolo ascent record, set in 1996 with a remarkable time of 42’40”. The morning will conclude with lunch at Passo del Mortirolo.

Enjoy Stelvio Valtellina

Mortirolo will also be one of the highlights of Enjoy Stelvio Valtellina, the initiative that each summer opens some of the most famous Alpine roads in the province of Sondrio exclusively to cyclists and walkers. Free of charge, non-competitive and without registration requirements, the project promotes sustainable enjoyment of mountain environments through traffic-free days on iconic climbs such as Stelvio, Gavia, Mortirolo, Cancano, Spluga, San Marco and Campo Moro. In 2025, the initiative attracted more than 25,300 participants