La Fausto Coppi Gran Fondo 2026

The route

Cuneo sits on the Po plain at the foot of the Maritime Alps in one of the most cycling-oriented parts of Piedmont. La Fausto Coppi Gran Fondo departs from there on 12 July covering 172 km with 4,300 metres of climbing, alongside a 92 km option. The name is an explicit tribute to the Campionissimo, who was born in the area and raced these roads in his era. The climbs on the full route represent the Cottian Alps at their most demanding: the Colle Fauniera at 2,481 metres and the Colle dell'Agnello at 2,744 metres, the second-highest pass ever included in the Giro d'Italia. La Fausto Coppi is one of the hardest sportives in Italy by any measure.

Starting from Cuneo just above sea level and reaching the Agnello at 2,744 metres means an altitude difference that affects everything: air density, temperature, landscape, and pace. The Cottian Alps form the natural border between Italy and France (the Agnello sits exactly on the frontier), with high-mountain scenery that alternates between Alpine meadows and bare summit rock. The Italian side of the Agnello is a long, progressive climb. If the route descends into France towards Pontone, the views are extraordinary. The 92 km route has the Fauniera as its centrepiece, which is plenty.

July in the Cottian Alps means 28-35°C on the Cuneo plain and 8-14°C on the passes. The heat at the start can be intense for anyone not accustomed to Piedmont summers. Wind on the Colle dell'Agnello at 2,744 metres can be very strong from the W: gusts of 35-55 km/h are possible under adverse conditions, particularly in the afternoon. The descent from the Agnello is long, and crosswinds on the exposed high-mountain road that winds along the frontier can be the hardest element of the day to manage. A light windproof jacket in the back pocket is essential for the descent, regardless of the morning temperature in the valley.

Cuneo is a quiet Piedmontese city with good accommodation and restaurants. The nearest airport with international flights is Turin, about 90 km away. July on the Po plain can be hot and humid, so hydration management from the first kilometre is important. Registration fills up with considerable demand from Italian and foreign cyclists visiting the Alps in summer. For 172 km and 4,300 metres: extra water for the hot start, warm layers and a windproof for the Agnello, and honest pacing — the legs you arrive at the Agnello with are the legs you have, not the legs you wish you had.

Variants and GPX

Past editions

Real Open-Meteo weather on each edition day.

How to register

Registration, price and rules are on the official website of the organization. Official march website →

More information

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