55th TOUR OF VALLE D'AOSTA / MONT BLANC 2018: THE STAGES
With the majestic Mont Blanc as a backdrop and in the exclusive setting of the Pavillon du Mont-Fréty conference room of the Skyway Monte Bianco, the Società Ciclistica Valdostana has officially presented the 55th Giro Ciclistico Internazionale della Valle d'Aosta.
Five stages, across the border of France, Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta, 25 teams at the start and thirteen nations represented for a stage race that, as tradition, stands out for its technical and competitive values.
Gilberto Simoni, winner of two editions of the Giro d'Italia (2001 and 2003) and winner on Valle d'Aosta roads in 1992 wearing the Prodet jersey, was the godfather.
«These roads have always brought me luck – declared “Gibo” – and as a young man I could not wait to take part into the Giro Valle d'Aosta: for a climber like me there was the ideal terrain to express myself at my best . This is a hard race, it’s important not to underestimate it, and those who stand out here take an important first step towards the world of professional cycling».
Five stages have been scheduled: everything will start on Wednesday July 11th at Saint-Gervais-Mont-Blanc with an individual time trial that finishes in Saint-Nicolas de Veroce.
On Thursday 12th the caravan will return to Valle d'Aosta beginning the stage from Rhêmes Saint-Georges. It will end in Rhêmes Notre Dame after climbing the cols of Entrèves, Colle San Carlo and Les Combes di Introd.
Friday the 13th the event will move to Piedmont for the Tavagnasco – Quassolo, an up and down stage with its pitfalls.
Saturday 14th, the queen stage from Antagnod to Champoluc with twice the Col de Joux (faced by both sides), Col d'Arlaz and Col Tzecore.
Grand finale, then, Sunday 15th with Valtourneche - Cervinia with, in the final part of the stage, the Col Saint-Pantaléon and the ascent to 2,000 metres of the Breuil.
The jerseys that will distinguish the leaders in the race, for this edition, will be four: the yellow jersey of the leader of the general classification sponsored by Eaux Valdôtaines, the polka dot of the King of the Mountains sponsored by CVA Trading, the red Sprint Catch sponsored by the Département Haute Savoie and the white jersey representing the points ranking supported by Skyway Monte Bianco.
«We hope to have designed a Giro della Valle d'Aosta up to expectations» – said Riccardo Moret president of Società Ciclistica Valdostana. – «The work done was great and only thanks to the commitment of all the volunteers and the support of the institutional and private sponsors we can make this international event of such this caliber a reality. The hope is to see repaid the efforts made with a massive presence of supporters along the roads of the race».
Satisfaction and trust also from the Regional Councilor for Tourism and Sport of Valle d'Aosta, Aurelio Marguerettaz: «The organization of this race has shown over the years a growing professionalism and the hope is that the Giro della Valle d'Aosta continues to be considered by riders as the best way to become great. Two wheels, in their various meanings, will be the future of tourism for our Valley and Giro della Valle d’Aosta is one of our best business card».
English version by Nicolò Caneparo, Nickland Media
Here the stages:
 | 11/07/2018 | SAINT-GERVAIS MONT-BLANC > SAINT NICOLAS DE VÉROCE | prologue indiv. time trial |
 | 12/07/2018 | RHÊMES-SAINT-GEORGES > RHÊMES-NOTRE-DAME | |
| 13/07/2018 | TAVAGNASCO > QUASSOLO | |
| 14/07/2018 | ANTAGNOD > CHAMPOLUC | |
| 15/07/2018 | VALTOURNENCHE > BREUIL CERVINIA |
