Monday, November 16, 2009

www.eros-poli.com




My good friend Eros Poli has a newly designed website, http://www.eros-poli.com/, detailing his tours for 2010. If you haven't been reading this blog you should know that Eros, a resident of Verona, is an Olympic Gold Medalist (1984 Los Angeles), World Champion, Italian National Champion, ex-professional rider and hero/winner of the Mont Ventoux stage of the 1994 Tour de France. In fact, his new website has a wonderful video of his winning the Mont Ventoux stage, definitely worth watching.

The website is in the process of becoming bi-lingual, for the moment it is only in Italian. To contact Eros regarding his tours email: info@eros-poli.com.

Of particular interest is the "Special Tour de France" tour although the "Special Giro d'Italia" tour shouldn't be overlooked as it will finish in Verona next year. For Europeans not too far from Italy the Mont Ventoux 2010 3 day weekend tours, offered on 3 weekends, would also be a nice opportunity to climb Mont Ventoux with "Monsieur Mont Ventoux" as Eros is known in France.

Following are rough translations of the Special Tour de France; the definitive translations will be posted on his website. Note (n.b.): for the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia tours you only have to bring your pedals and saddle. Pinarello bicycles will be provided.

Special Tour de France
Saturday July 10, 2010 to Monday, July 19, 2010
This is a tour includes the Tour de France and racing in the Gran Fondo Pinarello in Treviso, Italy

Saturday, July 10th: arrival at the airport of Geneva: we welcome you at the airport and then take you to the hotel where we will stay for 2 nights.

Sunday, July 11th Stage 8: Rousses-Morzine-Avoriaz.In the morning we leave by bicycle from the hotel to reach the arrival of the eighth stage to Avoriaz.(80 km of riding)

Monday, July 12th: on the Tour rest day we move to the little village of "la Bathiè" near Albertville and then we will start a fantastic ride, climbing le "Col de la Madeleine". After reaching the summit we take a break for a picnic and then descend to St. Jean de Maurienne then ride along the Maurienne valley until we reach our hotel in Modanne. (96 km)

Tuesday, July 13th, 9th stage: Morzine Avoriaz - Saint Jean de Maurienne. Last and hardest Alpes stage for the Tour de France riders, but not for us....today another mythical mountain to climb. From the hotel by bike up to Saint Jean de Maurienne, where he will begin to climb the Col de la Croix de Fer. At the summit we will take a break at the refuge for a coffee, then back to await the arrival of the ninth stage in St.Jean de Maurienne. (95 km)


Wednesday, July 14th, 10th stage: Chambery-Gap. Today we face another legendary climb: le Col du Galibier. From the hotel we travel by bus to reach Valloire. After preparing our bikes and after drinking a good coffee we start the climb of the Col du Galibier. We will take photos at the summit of the legendary mountain and then descend towards Monetier les Bains where we will stop for a light lunch at chez Madame Colette where you can also take a shower. In the arly afternoon we arrive in our bus in Gap to watch the final sprint. (40 km)

Thursday, July 15th, stage 11: Sisteron-Bourg-lès Valence. Today we will be at the "village depart" and visit the "bus equippes" zone, allowing us to closely watch the protagonists of this great event. After enjoying the start of the race we leave the Tour to continue our journey. Now we will conquer the last climb of our own Tour de France, the most legendary of climbs in the history of the Tour .... the mythic Mont Ventoux. "The Ventoux is a god of Evil, to which sacrifices must be made. It never forgives weakness and extracts an unfair tribute of suffering." - Roland Barthes, French philosopher (53 km)

Friday, July 16th, departure for Treviso, Italy.Today is a rest day as we transfer to Treviso. Half way during the trip we will stop for lunch in Finalborgo, an ancient Roman village. The name derives from Burgum Finarii, a border town during Roman times, and administrative center of the marquisate of the Del Carretto family between the 14th and 16th centuries.

Saturday, July 17th: An exploratory ride through the streets in Treviso for coffee or a "Prosecco" aperitif, then we we will pickup up our La Pinarello Cycling Marathon (formerly Granfondo Pinarello) race packets and visit the expo area.

Sunday, July 18: La Pinarello Cycling Marathon. The big day has arrived, today you will be a protagonist in one of the most spectacular and exciting granfondos of the cycling season. We will celebrate our race day and conclusion of our tour with special "arrivederci" dinner in a typical "osteria" in Treviso.

Monday, July 19th: Departure: Guests will be assisted to the Venice airport for their return home


Trip Details:

Duration: 10 days (9 nights)
Dates: Saturday 10 th July to Monday 19th July
Start:Geneva
Finish:Treviso/Venice

Accomodation:Selected quality 3 and 4 star hotels

Group Size:Maximum 20 people

Note: To enter the LA PINARELLO CYCLING MARATHON you require a medical certificate from a doctor

The Trip will include:

Twin share accomodation in selected quality 3 and 4 star hotels. Single travellers will be assigned a similar roommate.

Breaksfasts (all)
Dinners,
(all)

Picnic on Monday

Lunch on Wednesday at chez Colette and Friday in Finalborgo

Aperitif in Treviso

Assistance by our equipped van

Eros Poli as your guide

Complimentary backpack "Montventoux Bike Emotions"

Cycling jeresy and shorts "MontVentoux BikeEmotions"

Entry to the LA PINARELLO CYCLING MARATHON

Transport from Geneva Airport to the hotel

Transport to Venice airport from the hotel

Pinarello bike (FP3, FP7, Prince or Dogma)

What the trip does not include:

Wines when not provided on the menu.

Cost: € 3,000; twin share accomodation. Single travellers will be assigned a similar roommate (€ 600,00 extra for single accomodation)

Deposit: € 1,000

Balance: 60 day before starting the tour.

Photos: Mont Ventoux, Poli on the way to winning the TdF Mont Ventoux stage in 1994

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