Interview with Massimo De Bertolis

The debut of gravel riding in the UNESCO territory of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo is getting closer.
We’ve entered the final 100 days — the moment when anticipation becomes training, and training becomes imagination.

The Long Course covers 133 km and 3,170 m of elevation gain, starting and finishing in Auronzo di Cadore: a true gravel bike race in the heart of the Dolomites.
It’s a journey you don’t improvise. It demands legs, mind, and heart.
June 20 is calling — and you’ll want to be ready.

To preview the course, we turned to Massimo De Bertolis, former pro rider and 2004 UCI Marathon World Champion. With him, we dive into the route step by step, as if you were the one turning the pedals.

Massimo, what struck you most about the UCI Gravel World Series course?

The GT3 Lavaredo has been designed as a truly authentic gravel event — not an adaptation.
It’s in harmony with the landscape: you feel that every section is there for a reason.

There’s the technical challenge you expect from a UCI Gravel World Series race, but also the raw beauty of the Tre Cime.
And then there’s a marathon soul — long climbs, energy management, the need to listen to your body.
It’s a route that speaks to you, if you’re willing to listen.

From a technical standpoint, what are the key elements of the GT3 Lavaredo Long Course?

Don’t expect a fast gravel race.
You’re in the Alps: 133 km, 3,170 m of climbing, often above 1,500 m altitude.
You need to be a climber — but above all, you need to pace yourself.

Anyone who starts thinking they can “hold a steady rhythm” like on flat terrain… will fade quickly.
This is a true alpine gravel race, a gravel bike event that tests every detail of your preparation.

Which moments will be decisive in this UCI Gravel World Series race?

As soon as you leave Auronzo, the climbing begins:
first Passo Sant’Antonio (asphalt), then the gravel ascent to the KOM of Danta di Cadore.
It’s the first natural selection.

And here the golden rule of long races applies: never start too hard.

Then, after a short descent, comes the climb that changes your day.

The endless climb to Malga Klammbach. What is it really like?

It’s 25 km long.
A “stepped” climb that demands respect.

At the top you reach the second KOM and the highest point of the entire GT3 Lavaredo route: 1,929 m.
The terrain alternates between mule tracks and compact gravel — you need easy gears and a clear mind.
You won’t win the race here, but you can definitely lose it.

Will endurance be the key to finishing this Gravel World Series race?

Absolutely.
The toughest moment comes at Passo Tre Croci, the final KOM.

You reach it after the fast section of the Old Railway — a segment that invites you to push, but can drain you if you don’t find your rhythm.
It’s pure endurance, right before the final plunge back to Auronzo.

And the gravel itself? What kind of terrain will riders find on the GT3 Lavaredo course?

Gravel is the heart of the GT3 Lavaredo.
And it comes in many shades:

• Fast white roads and bike paths, like the Old Railway between Dobbiaco and Fiames: compact surface, high pace, long gears.
• Alpine mule tracks, like the climb to Malga Klammbach: more technical, more “real”.
• Demanding descents after the mountain huts toward Moso and below the Pomagagnon: clean handling and focus required.

The challenge is not only physical — it’s mental.

June, Dolomites, altitude. What clothing do you recommend for a gravel bike race in the mountains?

The key word is versatility.
You start at almost 900 m and climb above 1,700 m: heat and altitude will be real adversaries.

Practical tips:

• Mesh or lightweight merino base layer: keeps sweat away from the skin.
• Wind vest: the accessory that makes the difference. Open it on the climbs, close it on the long, cool descents like Val Grande.

Protect your core, protect your day.
It’s the golden rule of any mountain bike ride.

What are the most iconic points of this gravel event?

• The Tre Cime di Lavaredo, watching over you throughout the race
• Val Fiscalina, a green corridor
• Malga Klammbach, the Cima Coppi — the roof of the route
• The Old Railway (Dobbiaco–Cimabanche), a white line cutting through the forest
• Somadida Forest and Val Grande, the final descent leading you to the finish line

Registrations are open: visit the official website for all details and secure your race number before the end of April with the reduced fee.
The Dolomites are waiting for you.