The province of Cuneo is famous for the climbs of cycling, therefore worth a visit also for fans of this sport.
In an article in the Red Bull portal, a company famous for the popular energy drink that has been investing in sports for years, two climbs from Cuneo are indicated at the top of the ranking of recommended climbs, compiled by Simon Warren, former professional cyclist, author of several dedicated books pedalling enthusiasts.
Warren, on the Red Bull website, has unveiled his 10 favourite “climbs”, and among these the first two are located in the Granda province!
The first is the one that from Paesana leads to Pian del Re: 18.8 km with a vertical drop of 1348 meters, for an average gradient of 7.2%. So says the British sportsman: “The narrow road, cut by the rock, with only periodic safety barriers, unravels towards the peaks with a handful of solitary buildings where the splendor of the mountains captivates the heart”.
The second, that for many cyclists in Cuneo is simply “La Salita”, is the Colle Fauniera, the queen peak of the “Fausto Coppi”: an infinite climb that from Pradleves is 21.6 km long, with a difference in altitude of 1640 meters and an average gradient 7.6%. So says Simon Warren: “The further you go, the more you feel isolated, diminished by the peaks above and the bumpy road somehow manages to find a path to the top through the jagged beauty”.
The province of Cuneo therefore proves to be a popular destination for cycle tourists, also internationally. Moreover, every summer in Granda important representatives of this sport discipline gather, for the different Granfondo, the “Fausto Coppi” above all: in the 2019 edition of the race dedicated to the “Campionissimo”, for example, 37 nations were represented.