Italy
The Big Six
Nove Colli with Sportive Breaks
The most popular sportive in Italy, usually all 13,000 entries get snapped up in minutes. Riders at the front of the race take it very seriously with the event screening live on TV. Further back, Italians and riders from all over the world tackle the 9 hills in a great atmosphere. You can choose from two different routes – 200km and 130km. It’s not all about the Gran Fondo. Cesenatico is a great beach resort and the hotels are near the beach and have wellness facilities and a pool and everything you need for a cycling holiday; bike store with tools, laundry service and of course plenty of food. Your stay is on super half board basis with breakfasts, post-ride buffet and evening meals with drinks.
Weekend Highlights
Weekend Highlights
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Guaranteed Entry in the Yellow pen: You will start in the yellow pen (pen 4 out of 8) - start no 4551 - 6450.
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Guided warm up rides: 5 Guided daily excursions on Thu, Fri, Sat in different groups with different levels of difficulty and intensity
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Excellent bike facilities: Bike room equipped with a washing area, small repairs and a compressor. Free laundry service for cycling kit
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Wellness : Free entry to the LUNGOBENESSERE wellness centre. Access to hotel gym. Free towels and bathrobe for the salt water pool. Beach front hotel
| Sportive Distance | Sportive Elevation | Sportive Difficulty | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Route | 200 | 3,944 |
5/5
Back to back long days with plenty of climbing. Suitable for good club riders.
|
| Medium Route | 130 | 2,149 |
3/5
Mix of climbing & flatter days suitable for most riders.
|
What's Included
Accommodation
Choice of 3 & 4* hotels in Cesenatico
Included Meals
All breakfast & dinners + post-ride buffet
Guided Warm Up Ride
Daily rides with ride guide
Sportive Entry
Delivered to hotel
Laundry Service
Free for cycling kit
Transfer
From Bologna - on request
Bike Rental
from £140
Nove Colli
The Nove Colli sportive (nine hills) is the most popular sportive in Italy. Expect a fantastic atmosphere, with the route lined by locals ready to spur you on. Roads are closed during this sportive, giving you the perfect opportunity to enjoy your surroundings without having to worry about traffic. There are two route options, a punchy 130km route and the full 200km option featuring all nine hills.
The 2023 event takes place on the 21 of May, with our four-night packages beginning on the 18th.
What is the Nove Colli Sportive?
A tough Sportive that tackles 9 major hills/ climbs. The sportive is organised by the same local cycling club who planned the first event in 1970. It has been the focus of TV coverage, with 13,000 riders the world over flocking to Italy to take part in the 200km cycling challenge.
Itinerary
Expand All
18 May, 2023 : Arrival Day
Please make your own arrangements to Cesenatico today. If you are flying, then the nearest airport is Bologna Airport (PMI). We offer an optional airport transfer on request at additional cost. Please contact us for prices. The transfer takes approximately 1.30 hours. We are staying at the Hotel David. The hotel is located within minutes of the start and the finish in Cesenatico and is booked on a Half Board basis.
19 May, 2023 : Warm Up Ride One
● Breakfast at the hotel
● Option to join a guided ride today
● On return to the hotel, enjoy the post-ride buffet
● The afternoon is free for everyone to enjoy – we recommend visiting the Marco Pantani museum
● A meal will be available at the hotel in the evening
20 May, 2023 : Preparation Day
After breakfast and any final bike adjustments, you can choose to take part in a supported, guided ride. We suggest not doing anything too strenuous the day before the sportive.
● We have arranged to collect your bib for you
● Expo, it is just a short walk from our hotels
● Evening meal at the hotel
21 May, 2023 : Nove Colli Day!
● A very early breakfast will be available at the hotel from 04:30
● The pens will open at 06:00, ready for a 07:00 start
● Evening meal at the hotel
22 May, 2023 : Departure day
Time to say goodbye. Please arrange your onward travel or we can assist with booking airport transfers on request.
Sportive Options
Routes displayed are from 2022 and are subject to change by the event organiser.
| Distance | Elevation | Difficulty | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Route | 200km | 3,944m |
5/5
Very challenging: multiple tough sectors and a full day epic ride.
|
| Medium Route | 130km | 2,149m |
3/5
Rolling terrain with the occasional tougher section.
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Accommodation
Hotel David ***
Viale Giosue Carducci 297, Cesenatico, Italy
The hotel is set on the beachfront of Villamarina di Cesenatico and it has views of the Adriatic Sea. All the rooms are air-conditioned with a TV, private bathroom, and free toiletries. Enjoy the outdoor heated pool, on-draft wine at dinner and free wifi. Half-board includes a rich buffet breakfast and dinner buffet.
Hotel Lungomare ****
Viale G. Carducci, 299, 47042 Villamarina FC, Italy
Our favourite hotel in Cesenatico and our base for the Nove Colli weekend. This is a designated bike hotel and the facilities for cyclists are fantastic. Great food to keep you fuelled for the big ride, spa facilities and heated pool for off-the-bike relaxation. This is the meeting point for our guided rides and our mechanic will be based here. NB Hotel Lungomare is the sister hotel of Hotel David, our other accommodation offering. Guests of Hotel David can enter the wellness facilities of Lungomare: LUNGOBENESSERE.
Airport Transfers
Please make your own arrangements to get to Cesenatico. The nearest airport is Bologna Airport (BLQ). The transfer takes approximately 1.30 hours. Please contact us to discuss transfer options and costs . [email protected]
Dates & Book Now
Sportive Breaks is part of the Destination Sport Experiences Group. When clicking on the booking link below, you will be taken to the Destination Sport Experiences booking engine. If you have any questions, please do contact our team [email protected]
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