Auronzo di Cadore has always been synonymous with the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, great climbs, and cycling. For a couple of weekends now, however, his name has also entered the international geography of gravel. The first edition of the GT3 Lavaredo, organised by Pedali di Marca and directed by Massimo Panighel, brought a test of theUCI Gravel World Series, the only Italian stage of the circuit valid for qualification for the European and World Championships (photo Giorgio De Negri at the beginning).
Around 700 athletes from 28 nations They tackled a spectacular yet challenging route, traversing Alpine lakes, forests, and some of the most iconic views of the Dolomites. A debut that combined competitive spirit, local culture, and tourism promotion, leaving the feeling of having opened a new chapter for Italian off-road cycling.
A debut with a bang
It wasn't easy to organize a first edition directly included in the UCI Gravel World Series calendar. It needed credibility, a worthy venue, and a route that would satisfy both competitors and enthusiasts. The answer came in the numbers. Nearly 700 competitors representing 28 countries showed up at the start, attracted by the only Italian opportunity to gain a pass to the European Championships in Houffalize, Belgium.. And also for the more distant World Cup in Nannup, Australia.
The Long route offered 133 kilometers with 3.170 meters of altitude difference, a ring around the Tre Cime di Lavaredo that crossed Veneto and Alto Adige.The Medium route, on the other hand, measured 105 kilometres with 2.460 metres of altitude difference. and was reserved for women and men over 60. A hot and sunny day made a race characterized by constant changes in pace, long dirt roads, rideable climbs, and views that only the Dolomites can offer even more selective.
The men's race heated up already on the climbs toward the Monte Croce Comelico Pass. At the front, Leonardo Paez, a true mountain bike legend, Dario Cherchi, and Eskil Evensen-Lie took the lead, while Fabian Rabensteiner preferred to manage the action without forcing it. The turning point came in Carbonin, where Cherchi was slowed by a puncture, while Rabensteiner caught up with the leaders and changed the course of the race. On the following climb of Passo Tre Croci the South Tyrolean champion built his definitive success, resisting the comeback of Paez, second only 26 seconds after having remained in the race despite a fall.Third was the Norwegian Evensen-Lie.
Among the women involved in the Medium journey, there was no history. Poland's Karolina Migon took the lead from the start, setting a pace that was impossible for her rivals to follow. Behind his back Erica Magnaldi, The reigning European champion took a valuable second place, while Debora Piana completed the podium, returning to prominence after a long recovery from an Achilles tendon injury. A race with a high technical level, which confirmed how much gravel is attracting specialists from both road and mountain bikes.
Not just a race…
But if this was the pro race, then there was the event. The true heart of the event: the amateurs, the enthusiasts. One of the impressions gathered upon arrival was shared by many participants: the GT3 Lavaredo wasn't just a race, but an experience. The allure of the Dolomites accompanied the athletes throughout the day, transforming the effort into something to remember. It's no coincidence that many of those in attendance, including professionals, remarked that the course was one of the most beautiful they've ridden in recent years. The terrain was technical without being extreme, fast yet demanding attention and constant relaunching, and it captured the essence of modern gravel riding. The most popular coverage was the 45mm one, wide yes, but not extreme. Although it must be said that many pros had even 55mm tires. But they are a bit off-putting in some technical choices.
It wasn't just the track that made the difference. The Pedali di Marca organization took care of every detail, from the welcome to the services in the race village, up to the setting up of the expo area.. Among the most frequented spaces was that of Pinarello, the event's partner, where some of the Treviso-based manufacturer's most iconic bicycles were on display. A meeting point for the curious, enthusiasts, and athletes, who were able to closely observe the models designed for both competition and adventure.
After the race, the atmosphere was one of great occasion. Athletes, supporters, and organizers knew they had taken part in something that went beyond a simple sporting achievement. The GT3 Lavaredo has demonstrated how gravel can become an effective tool for enhancing the territory, capable of bringing thousands of people to discover extraordinary places by pedaling at a different pace than the big road races.
A project that looks far ahead
The Dolomites did not yet have a UCI Gravel World Series event. It took just one edition of the GT3 Lavaredo to understand that this void could be filled with authority. Massimo Panighel and his team's intuition was to avoid chasing existing models, but instead build an event strongly rooted in the local area. The Three Peaks of Lavaredo, Lake Misurina, the woods of Cadore and the great Dolomite passes were not only a backdrop, but rather central elements of the race's identity.
This is precisely the added value of the event. Gravel biking has always sought authentic routes, away from major streams and immersed in nature. The Dolomites offer all this, adding to a landscape heritage recognized worldwide. Auronzo di Cadore, with its lakes, trails and a consolidated tradition in welcoming outdoor sports, is thus a candidate to become a point of reference for this discipline too, combining road cycling and mountain biking.
The response from the nearly 700 participants and the 28 nations present suggests significant room for growth. Gravel is experiencing a period of rapid expansion, and having an Italian race on the global circuit represents a significant opportunity for both athletes and the national movement. The feeling is that this first edition has only laid the foundation stone.
The future of the GT3 Lavaredo will depend on the ability to consolidate what was built in this debut, but the foundations appear solid. If the goal was to demonstrate that the Dolomites could also host major international gravel cycling, the response came with force. Because when quality organization meets a unique territory, the result rarely stays limited to a single day of competition. It's more likely to become the beginning of a story destined to last for years.
