Piedmont
Wine, Truffles and Epic Mountains
"Piemonte" means "at the foot of the mountain", a fitting name for a region framed by both the Alps and the Apennines.
Nestled within this majestic landscape, Piedmont holds some of Italy’s most outstanding treasures: the gentle hills and geometric vineyards of the Langhe-Roero-Monferrato (a UNESCO World Heritage Site and ideal cycling destination), renowned for producing Barolo wine and exquisite truffles, the glaciers of the Gran Paradiso National Park — the Great Paradise — connected by the breathtaking Colle del Nivolet road, the iconic Monviso and its climb to Pian del Re — The King’s Plain — the pristine waters of Lakes Maggiore and Orta, and a rich heritage of medieval town centers, castles, churches, and architectural marvels.
Piedmont is also the birthplace of cycling legend Fausto Coppi, adding historical significance for cycling enthusiasts exploring the region.
Facts
History
Piedmont's main city, the elegant Torino, was the first capital of Italy (1861) and the entire region still bears the signs of its regal past, spinkled with royal residences, castles and architectural marvels, some of which date back to the medieval ages. Its history, geology, climate and geographical position have been the ideal breeding ground for a multifaceted cuisine based on traditional flavours and local recipes, in addition to a multitude of over 30,000 wineries producing many world-renowned wines such as Barolo, Barbaresco, Nizza and many more.
Cycling Classics
From the quiet roads winding through vineyards and hazelnut farms, to the stunning panoramas of the snow-capped Western Alps Piedmont is a cycling heaven. The birthplace of Fausto Coppi, "Champion of Champions," the region is home to countless epic climbs. Its proximity to France has made it a host to numerous stages of both the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France. In 2024, Turin proudly hosted the Grande Partenza of the 107th Giro d’Italia. Cyclists can also visit the iconic statue of Marco Pantani on the Colle della Fauniera, a bucket-list destination for cycling enthusiasts.
Climate
From the rice paddies of Vercelli to the summits of the Monte Rosa in Val Sesia, there is a difference in elevation of over 4,000 m. This creates a wide variety of microclimates. During the hot summer season and into early fall, the hills and the mountains can offer a cooler environment, with roads that climb to 700 m above sea level in the Langhe and all the way up to over 2,500 m in the Alps.
Terrain
The relatively gentle hills in the southern-eastern portion of Piedmont gradually merge into the Apennines to the south, which represents the gateway to the Mediterranean Sea. Most of the larger cities (e.g., Torino, Cuneo) are situated on the alluvial plains of the Po River Basin, which gently drains all waters towards the east, into the Adriatic Sea. Numerous alpine valleys abruptly fan out from the plains, cutting into the high mountains that represent the border with France. These valleys and their abundant communication roads, allow cyclists to penetrate deep into the Alps and reach some of the most dramatic landscapes of Europe.
Points of interest
Langhe, Roero and Monferrato
Imagine manicured vineyards and rows of hazelnut trees as far as the eye can see, a landscape designated by UNESCO as World Heritage. Its main centre, Alba, hosts the annual International White Truffle Fair and is named as one of the World's 56 Unesco Creative Cities of Gastronomy.
Il Campionissimo
Fausto Coppi, born in Piedmont in 1919, is one of cycling’s all-time greats. Known as "Il Campionissimo," he won five Giro d’Italia titles, two Tour de France titles, and the 1953 World Championship. Coppi also set the Hour Record and claimed victories in classics like Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix. His legacy continues to inspire cyclists worldwide, including Tadej Pogačar, who recently won Il Lombardia for the fourth consecutive time, matching the achievement of the Champion of Champions.
Monviso and Po River
Called the "King of Stone", the Monviso dominates the landscape of Piemonte with a height of 3,841 m.a.s.l. The longest river of Italy, the Po, originates from a small spring at the foot of this elegant mountain, located just a few dozen metres from the end of a spectacular road where motivated cyclists can reach 2,000 m elevation.
Turin and the Venaria Royal Palace
The Royal Residence of Venaria, in the outskirts of Torino, was commissioned by Charles Emmanuel II of Savoy in the mid XVII century and it represents one of the main jewels of the universal baroque. The palace of 80,000 square metres with over a thousand frescoed paintings, plus the gardens and forests of the complex covering an area of 800,000 square metres, offer the visitors a stunning example of the art and architectural beauties of Torino.
Colle dell'Agnello
At 2,744 metres elevation, the Colle dell'Agnello, literally translated as "Pass of the Lamb," is the highest paved cross-border pass in Europe. With steep sections up to 16%, 19 switchbacks and fantastic views, the climb to the top is as memorable as it is challenging.
For a cyclist, the most exciting moment is not when you cross the finish line as a winner. It is instead the moment of decision, when you decide to sprint when you decide to go ahead and continue even if the finish line is far away.
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