Third stage of the Euro-regional race: 135.6 kilometers from Villabassa to Funes (San Pietro).
Landscape of Villabassa, Val Pusteria
Good morning from Tour of the Alps. The snowfall forced the organizers to change also this third stage, Villabassa-Funes (San Pietro). The race don’t pass on the 2000 mt. Erbe Pass, that will be replaced by the Terento climb in the first half of the race, reducing the distance from 143,1 to 135,6 km. The second half of the race dont’ change though, with the feared Alpe di Rodengo, 12,7 km long with a 7% gradient, with the kilometers from 5th to 8th always above 10%. It will be a severe test for the favorites before the final ascent to Funes: at the end, the Tour of the Alps’ GC will certainly look different.
The whole stage 3 takes place within the province of Bolzano/Bozen.
The race starts from Niederdorf, a typical small town in Northern Pustertal, at the entrance of Prags valley, in the Fanes-Sennes-Braies natural park nearby. At ahe altitude of 1500 mts, the small but fascinating lake of Prags lays under the huge Seekofel rock wall that defines the border between Ampezzo and Tirol territories. The baroque church of Sankt Stefan, the protector of Niederdorf, and its bell tower display a quaint painted roof. The Haus Wassermann hosts the Northern Pustertal touristic musem with ancient rooms furnished in the original style.
Niederdorf centre also features a “welness park” along the Rienz river with infrastructures inspired by German abbot and priest Sebastian Kneipp theory, based on hydrotherapy to improve the physical health.
The first part of the race hits to Bruneck, then the route slowly climb on first Kom of Terento. An amazing alpine scenario fills the heart as the race approach Brixen through Eores, and Sankt Andreas in a slight slope up to Lüsen and its valley under the huge Plose on one side and Rodeneck mountain range on the other. A 12-km steep climb start sas an absolute premier for the pro’ riders, peaking at 12% in some sections up to 1748-mt high where the Rodeneck KOM is placed. The demanding downhill goes towards Nauders and Muhlbach, within the EIsacktal area, then Natz-Schabs and Vahrn where the beautiful Augustiner abbey of Novacella, place of worship and culture dating back to 1100, also known for the production of wines.
Right after the historical and glamorous city of Brixen, surrounded by the Dolomites, with walls, castles, bridges, fountains and prestigious buildings, such as the baroque cathedral and further churches, or the beautiful Bishop Palace.
Food is another interesting topic to keep in due consideration travelling toward Klausen, featuring the famous Kloster Saben monastery. Another 9-km stretch leads the race to the enchanting Vilnöss Valley to join the finish line in Funes-St. Peter. From 523 mt.-altitude in Klausen to 1140 mt. Up to Funes-St. Peter the riders tackle a tough exam for all those aiming for the overall win.
Funes area’s main centre is St. Peter, along Teis, St. Valentin, St. Jakob, Coll, St. Peter and St. Magdalen. Culture, traditions, lifestyle are the distinctive features oh these amazing places attracting many tourists in all seasons. Famous mountaineer and writer Reinhold Messner, born in Brixen on 1944, spent his childhood among these wonderful mountains.
