Etappe 16 (Individuele berg tijdrit) - dinsdag 24 mei Vertrekpunt: Belluno - Nevegal (ITT) Afstand: 12.7 km

CONEGLIANO
The pretty Venetian town owes its particular urban structure made of a triple round of walls, to the Della Scala’s (lords of Verona) domination (1329), which also realized the Refosso canal, in order to connect the two rivers flowing on opposite slopes to the top of the hill where Conegliano was founded in the twelfth century. Yet archeological finds attested the former presence of a pre-Roman settlement. Conegliano is one of the world  best known Italian enological capital, and thus since the end of the nineteenth century, thanks to the techniques of grape processing introduced by Antonio Carpenè, who founded in 1877 the Regia Scuola di Viticoltura. Prosecco (Italian champagne) and sparkling wines, still play nowadays a leading role in the brisk economy of Conegliano. The main street of the medieval village is the via XX Settembre, overlooking rich palaces dating back to the fifteenth and sixteenth century and embellished with precious ornaments. Unmissable is the Duomo and its frescoes of the end of the fifteenth century, and the paintings by Cima da Conegliano. The nearby Rocca di Castelvecchio encircles the primary structure of the citadel where the vestiges of the ancient Duomo are kept, and which is housing - inside the Campana tower - the Museo Civico: the exhibition features commemorative plaques, coins, sculptures, Roman and pre-Roman archeological finds.

FROM CONEGLIANO TO GARDECCIA / VAL DI FASSA

Aviano
In the ancient time Aviano was a fortified village huddled around its Castle which once belonged to the Aquileia patriarchs and vestiges of which are still to be seen in the Castello d’Aviano district. The historical town center is highlighted by sumptuous aristocratic mansions such as Villa Menegozzi dating back to the mid-eighteenth century, and admirable religious masterpieces housed in the San Zenone Parish, among which an altar-piece by the Padovanino and sixteenth-century paintings. Aviano is also well known for hosting a Nato base. Also Piancavallo, settled in a sunny valley at an altitude of 1,300 meters, is part of the Aviano District. The location features a perfect vacation destination offering opportunities for traditional and free-climbing, walking and horse-riding trekking, in a wildlife environment made of eagles, rock-goats, mouflons, deer and chamois.

Cortina D'Ampezzo
Cortina was already considered a gem of the elite tourism under the Austrian-Hungarian government, featuring a matchless training ground for the practice of each and every sport, both in summer and in winter. Encircled by impressive summits (Tofane, Sorapis, Nuvolau, Cristallo), Cortina boasts a picturesque landscape and also art masterpieces and museum able to narrate the story of the Ampezzo’s community. The Church of Saints Filippo and Giacomo is a perfect example of end of the eighteenth century’s baroque, the Ciasa de ra Regoles is the seat of the Museo d’Arte Moderna Mario Rimoldi, exhibiting works by Campigli, De Chirico, Sironi, De Pisis, Guttuso, Morandi.

Canazei
Situated in the upper Val di Fassa valley, the ancient Ladino village is considered one of the most famous travel destination of the Dolomites. The landscape is a wonderful scenery for the iridescent ramparts of the Gruppo Sella, the dentate contour of Sassolungo and the Marmolada. From Canazei, the Fedaia  pass and lake are easily reachable (2 hours walk or 10 minutes by car). The location features an artificial basin receiving the waters of the Marmolada glacier and the journey offers a fascinating view of the mountain group. In order to touch with hand both snow and ice, a cableway is available beyond the lake’s dam, to reach the Pian dei Fiacconi refuge at an altitude of 2,626 meters. Beyond that point the climb towards the summit at the altitude of 3,343 m of the Punta Penìa, can only be achieved together with an alpine guide.