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The course runs through the southern part of the province among the ancient property of the Malatesta family, the lords of Rimini. They built imposing fortresses in each important village. From a cycling viewpoint there is a certain degree of difficulty, without extraordinary suffering, but with a series of respectable ascents such as to require the use of agile ratios (a 39x26 is advised for certain stretches).
In the distance, the turrets of Gradara
From Rimini you head south following the sea road to Cattolica. It’s a very comfortable spin on the flat and just right for warming up the muscles.
From Cattolica you drift over into Pesaro territory following the signs for Gradara where you arrive after 15 kilometres. The view is surprising: the outline of the ancient town with its battlement walls punctuated by quadrangular turrets right up to the fortress. It belonged first to the Malatesta family then to the Sforza and the Della Rovere families. Under the Malatesta family the fortress was witness to the moving love story of Paolo and Francesca that inspired Dante’s passionate verses.
Montegridolfo, one of the loveliest villages
You ride astride the boundary between The Marches and Romagna in the direction of Montegridolfo whose castle is one of the best preserved in the region. The wall enclosing the historic centre is still intact. After Montegridolfo there’s a brief 2 kilometre climb to Mondaino which welcomes the cyclist with a fine view over the sea that can be enjoyed from its fortress.
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Verucchio, the origins of the Malatesta family
You continue for Tavoleto, by which point you have covered 45 kilometres, then there’s a fairly long descent to get your breath back until you come to the foot of the Fortress of Montefiore Conca whose rooms contain important frescoes by Jacopo Avanzi.
There’s a surprise around every bend, a different panorama, some aspect of nature or history as the route winds its way through Valconca and into the Republic of San Marino. A few tough stretches of climbing are inevitable, and they get less tolerable with the passing of the kilometres.
But following the signs for Acquaviva - Arezzo, when you turn at the fork for Ventoso there’s an 18% descent that offers pleasant sensations though it isn’t the best thing for resting. After 90 kilometres the last climb is to Verucchio where the Malatesta dynasty originated. The fortress of Verucchio, open to visitors, was built in 1449 at the behest of Sigismondo Malatesta, the last great member of the family, on the remains of an earlier 12th century castle. From Verucchio you head down towards the sea and arrive in Rimini. |
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