While no two FinKraft Italy Camps are alike, the general outline of each follows a similar formula. In 2019 it was the 10th Anniversary of the our FinKraft Giro d’Italia Cycling Camp which was a fantastic experience all around – perfect weather and amazing route and group of guys. This year it will be no different, just a few more years of experience and some new routes.

Each year our travels take us to the northern regions of Italy—close to the Dolimites—where we will be riding on legendary routes that the Giro d’Italia and other classic road races such as the i’l Lombardia have traversed. Given that the camp takes place in May—the same time as the Giro d’Italia—we make it a goal each year to watch and ride at a stage or two of that year’s route. In years past, this has included iconic climbs such as the Stelvio,Passo di Gavia and Mortirolo. Additional events in years past have included trips to the DeRosa and Bianchi bike factories.

To enjoy and be able to complete this camp, I would recommend all riders to be a Cat 3-4 level at a minimum, with a good fitness base and bike handling skills , it is not required to be a racer though . Recommended gearing would be a compact crank-set or at least a 34 cassette. Total riding time will about 500-600 miles in 9 days with some extremely challenging climbs and narrow roads. Please do not let these facts scare you though. It is not a race, and you will have the ride of your life and a trip that you will never forget.

Those who have been to our FinKraft Cycling Camps before know that there are few places that rival the uniqueness of Italy. With beautiful scenery, magnificent roads, incredible food, and a well-established bicycle culture Italy is an ideal location to host a cycling camp. Here at FinKraft we hope you can join us for this unique experience that we promise you will never forget. Our annual Finkraft Italy Cycling Camp is always dedicate to my dear friend Paolo Zenoni.

Sponsors:

 

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Pricing:



-$4,500.00 per/rider.

-Deposit; $ 1,500 to secure your spot on this amazing cycling camp. Refundable until May 1st, 2026.

-All camp fees have to be paid in full by May 1st.

-Spouses and non-riders are welcome, but unfortunately there will not be any organized program for non-riders and self-guided activities will be required. Room and board will be included for an additional cost of $1,000.00 per non-rider. Keep in mind we will be on the road for 4 nights and not at the base hote.

-Price will include transportation to and from the Milan airport, hotel with breakfast, sandwiches on the road dinner and complementary snacks, sports drinks for our rides and many other daily logistics. All you have to worry about is eat, sleep and ride – enjoy the experience.

-Also included is a special Italy FinKraft cycling kit.

NOTE: Air fare and alcoholic beverages are NOT INCLUDED. We do not ride or spend any time in touristy areas, so very few places to buy souvenirs which means not a whole lot spending money needed

 

Friday: (May 22nd): Depart from the USA.

Saturday: Arrive(May 23rd) at the Malpensa (NOTE: MXP ONLY) airport in Milan the next morning preferably between 8.00-10.00 am. Van transfer to the hotel, note only one pick .The location of our base hotel Cascina Belvedi is right in the heart of the perfect cycling mecca where many pros choose to live and train, we could stay here the whole week, and it would be a beautiful different route to ride every day. When we get to the hotel, we will have lunch (a nap not recommended )  just relax a little. At around 1.00-2.00 pm assemble our own bike followed by a short and easy ride in the valley short ride leaving 3.30-4.00 pm 20-25 miles, just to shake the legs out. Dinner at Cascina Belvedi to follow at 7.30 pm. I have been waiting for this for a whole year now -;) Go to bed at a normal time to get on Italy time schedule.

Sunday: On May 24th will be our first big ride. This route is one of the most famous rides in this region Madonna di Ghisallo ride which mounts to be about 100 miles. We will include of course Muro Sormano , this was our spot to watch stage 15 of the 2019 Giro d’Italia. This wall ( Muro ) also featured in the Il’ Lombardia race in recent years. Plenty of photo opportunities here and lunch at the Madonna di Ghisallo by the cycling museum and church is a big tradition for our camps every year. This is also for sure one of my most favorite rides/routes right out of the Hotel. This was Paolo’s training grounds as well and the area where he grew up and lived. This ride could also possible be scheduled for next Sunday if the weather is not cooperating and we have to go to plan ‘ B”

Still Planning the 2026 Route , but here is a preliminary plan for our route.

Monday: Transfer Day into the Mountains leaving Lombardy and moving into the Trento Region.

We will have the follow van carrying our luggage with Stefano as our driver and domestique ” route planning and sticky bottles etc.” Depending on weather and snow conditions, road closures etc., but Plan ” A ” will be to go passed Lago d’Iseo and climb Passo Maniva into Bagolina and stay Monday Night there. Plan ” B ” would be Zambla Alto over Presolana to the top of Croce Domini and stay the night still in Bagolina . It’s somewhat risky still to plan this route and we might have to resort to plan ‘C ” , but we will get there. Basically 3 ways to get here.

 Tuesday: Goal is today to climb Monte Bondone 

We set out from Bagolina ( lago d’Idro ) and go north of Lago di Garda via Rovereto , pretty small roads and hopefully not too busy to start with so we should make good time. We climb Monte Bondone today and descend into Trento.

Wednesday:  Giro d’Italia Stage 17

Giro Day and we will probably watch the giro on the roads leading towards the Andalo finish and once they pass, we will stay the night in that region. Time and logistics will be key today, route still to be planned with more details to come. The ideal spot to watch would be by Lake Molveno.

Thursday: Ride First part of Stage 18, Madonna di Campiglio and Passo Tonale 

We will start the day with Madonna Campiglio, a very famous ski area.  We will make a left on the other side in Male, and we will still have to climb Passo Tonale and stay the night in Altitude or in Edolo, depending how the day goes.

Friday: Back home to Cascina Belvedi

Today we head back, most likely over Passo Vivione and and Zambla Alta or via Aprica and Passo San Marco (depending on the route Monday) I do not like to ride too much of the same roads and then hopefully arrive late afternoon in Clanezzo , Cascina Belvedi.

Saturday: Basically a big part of the I’l Lombardi route including Cita Alta (the old Bergamo) 

Today we will do a really cool and scenic route in the Brembo Valley, Serina Valley and San Giovanni Bianco, though Taleggio valley (famous cheese) We will make our traditional stop at our friend Tulia’s coffee shop on Passo Bura for some cake for sure and a few more stops along the way and just enjoy the ride.

Sunday: Valcava and San Antonio Abbandonato

Last ride in Italy for us and we will start off with Valcava (a beast of a climb. We do not always get to do this one, but this year you are lucky) and then head over to Mazzoleni and pay our respect to Paolo, up and over Berbenno and down to Brembilla . Last Climb of this Years Camp will be San Antonio Abbandonato , Coffee stop on top and time to head back down to Zogno where the Salvi Bikestore is located and back to the hotel. Tonight is also time to pack and eat our last dinner in Italy, hopefully some more Casoncelli and Tiramisu.

Route and schedule has to be flexible due to weather and can be changed as we go , this years route will be as epic as any other year with some new climbs and roads to explore for our crew.

Monday (June 1st): Am bus transfer to the Malpensa ( MXP) Airport in Milan. Departure time from the hotel around 5.00-6.00 am, so schedule your return flights to depart 10.00 am or later if possible. If you have different travel plans you are responsible for your own transportation to the airport.

Ciao