A host resort of the 2006 Winter Olympics, Sestriere holds a unique place in cycling history: in 1952 it staged the very first mountaintop finish in Tour de France history.
A short, approachable climb from Cesana Torinese
From Cesana Torinese, it’s 8.6 km for 420 m of elevation gain, averaging 4.9% with no standout section. The road is wide and consistent, making for an accessible climb compared with the larger passes nearby in Piedmont.
The birthplace of the summit finish
In 1952, Fausto Coppi won at Sestriere on the first mountain stage in Tour de France history to finish atop a climb, a format that has since become a staple of the grand tours.
Getting the ride right
The moderate gradient makes for a short outing, ideal alongside other climbs in the area such as the Sestriere pass itself or a detour towards Montgenèvre on the French side, just a few kilometres away.
When to go
June to September — the resort sits above 2,000 m and can stay snow-covered into early summer depending on the year.
Good to know
Sestriere sits just a few kilometres from Col de Montgenèvre and the French border, making it easy to combine several cross-border climbs in the same outing.
