TOURISM AND SPORT ON THE DOLOMITES

Predazzo welcomes the 2013 Marcialonga Cycling Craft road race

Two routes through Val di Fiemme, Val di Fassa andSouth Tyrol

Several opportunities for all to enjoy the Dolomites

Almost 2.000 participants already registered

In the heart of Predazzo (Trentino region), the 7th running of the Marcialonga Cycling Craft road race will kick off on Sunday 26 May, 2013.

The alpine little town hosts the start and finish areas of both routes (66k and 116k), but also offers the opportunity of discovering ancient Dolomites thanks to the Mineral and Geological Museum located in the main square. A brief walk along the narrow city streets is recommended for all, and for nature lovers the Paneveggio Natural Park is only 5k far from town. Here you will get very close to deer and other beautiful and rare animal species, such as typical grouses of this side of the Alps.

The 2013 Marcialonga Cycling Craft goes through Val di Fiemme and Val di Fassa, but also enters the South-Tyrol region. The picturesque village of Anterivo after 30k from the start is surrounded by pinewood forests and wild and protected flowers, as you find yourself inside the Monte Corno Natural Park. And once thePampeagoPassis crossed, the 10k long descent offers the chance to admire unique vistas that remain stunning and charming all the way up to the followingCostalungaPassandCarezzaLake, also called ‘The Rainbow Lake’. An ancient legend tells the story of beautiful nymph Ondina, she lived in its waters and wizard of Mount Latemar fell in love with her. He tried to capture her, and once put a bright rainbow on the lake trying to attract her, but as soon as Ondina emerged and saw the wizard, she fled in terror. In his fury, the wizard seized the rainbow, broke it into a thousand pieces and hurled it into the lake. From that day on, you can see all the colours of the rainbow in the water of the lake when the sun hits it.

Art, culture and the ancient Ladin (Rhaeto-Romance) language, still widely used in Val di Fassa and in some other parts of Trentino and South-Tyrol regions, are well preserved inside the Ladin Cultural Institute of Vigo di Fassa, definitely worth a visit.

The Costalunga Pass (up to1.752 metersa.s.l.) represents a crucial part of the penultimate Giro d’Italia leg scheduled on Saturday 25 May, the day before the 2013 Marcialonga Cycling Craft event, and it is a fantastic opportunity to see the pros in action.

Through the official website www.marcialonga.it and both Val di Fiemme and Val di Fassa Tourism Offices’ pages www.visitfiemme.it  and www.fassa.com, please collect all the information for a fantastic time in this part ofItaly. When? Last week-end of May, of course.

Entries to the Marcialonga Cycling Craft are open on www.marcialonga.it and cost € 28 until the end of the month. Almost 2.000 cyclists from all over the world have already registered.