The Giro of Sardinia is organized by the non-profit association Mare & Monti of Cagliari which is a sports association. In the past, before The Lemon House was very busy in April, we used to close and participate the whole week, managing the English-speaking race entries and participation. Now we limit ourselves, on a volunteer  basis like the rest of the Mare & Monti people, to translating the web site information into English,  and answering English-speaking participants’ questions. If we can, Peter comes to ride one or two of the stages, to see our friends among the participants and organisers. You make your own race entries directly with Mare and Monti, you pay them directly and organise your own transport. See a day-by-day blog of the 2008 race.

In 2012 the Giro will be held Sunday 22 April-Saturday 28 April 2012, based at Cala Ginepro (Orosei). Accommodation will be in one of the close-together 4-star hotels with all the stages starting from the hotels except for the GF Costa Smeralda Sunday 22 and a stage from Nuoro Friday 27. The week includes two Gran Fondo races, and as usual there are two race routes (Gran Giro, Medio Giro), the non-competitive “Tour” and the 1000 km, a Randonée.

Hotel Torre Moresca****
Hotel Cala Ginepro****
Hotel “I Giardini di Cala Ginepro” ****
Lots of family rooms / suites and use of Cala Ginepro’s new wellness centre (sauna, indoor swimming pool, hammam, Kneippe pool, etc.). Full board including drinks €520 per person.

Race entry will cost: “GiroSardegna”: €150 men €100 women (includes entry in the 2 GF). “GiroBreve-Smeraldo”  (first 4 days only Sun 22-Wed 25) and “GiroBreve-Muflone” (last 4 days only Wed 25 – Sat 28)  €100 men €75 women (includes one GF entry). “Tour”: €100 for men and women. “1.000 km di Sardegna”: €50 for men and women.

Sunday 22 April – Golfo Aranci: “GranFondo Smeralda”
Race whose fast course and great views have made famous the “GranFondo Costa Smeralda”; there are no major climbs but only ups-and-downs, never really difficult. Mediofondo (km 109). Granfondo (km 150). N.B.  After the race  “Pasta Party” and prizes, then the cyclists will proceed to Orosei-Cala Ginepro. The race starts in the late morning, so from the Italian mainland you can take the ferry to Golfo Aranci and arrive the morning of Sunday 22 or drive from Alghero if flghts to Olbia haven’t yet started.

Monday 23 April – Orosei (Cala Ginepro): “First stage”
Easy stage with the odd short climb and long flat sections. MedioGiro (km 78) GranGiro (km 93)

Tuesday 24 April – Orosei (Cala Ginepro): “Second stage”
Another fast “easy” stage with lots of Sardian “flat roads” MedioGiro (km 91). GranGiro (km 109).

Wednesday 25 April – Orosei (Cala Ginepro): “GranFondo Sardegna – Le Baronie”
Race of medium difficulty for the MedioGiro (111 km, one important cimb) with the GranGiro (160 km) being longer and with two important climbs.

Thursday 26 April – La Caletta/Cala Ginepro: “CronoSquadre”
“Rest day”  – short Team Time trial on fast course. MedioGiro/GranGiro (km 23).

Friday 27 April – Nuoro (Monte Ortobene): “Fifth stage”
Tough mountain stage: 3 climbs in the MedioGiro (70 km) and 4 in the GranGiro 92 km) with finish at  900 m on Monte Ortobene. N.B.This is the only stage which doesn’t start at the hotel. You drive50 kmin your own car or in buses provided by the organisers and after the race come back to the hotel for lunch.

Saturday 28 April – Orosei (Cala Ginepro): “Sixth stage”
Mountain stage with finish at 1000 m amsl Genna Silana.MedioGiro/GranGiro (km 55) N.B. The GiroSardegna finishes at Genna Silana, then make your own way back to the hotel. In the afternoon, final prizegiving then departures.

To book for the Giro, fill in the form here where there are all the bank details you need to transfer the money to Mare & Monti. Send the form and a copy of the bank receipt to them.

Back to Road Cycling ….