Team Colombia Coldeportes, the Colombian (but Italy-based) professional Bianchi-riding team led by General Manager Claudio Corti, began a one week training camp on January 27th in the Trentino region. Their base is in Torbole sul Garda, at the northern end of Lake Garda.
Today, they rode the Punto Veleno climb which will be in the 2012 Giro del Trentino, being held April 17th-20th; Punto Veleno will be on stage 3 on April 19th. It will be the first time a professional race features the Punta Veleno (Poison Point), rated one of the toughest climbs in Europe. It was first considered for inclusion in a stage for the Giro d'Italia in 1972 by Vincenzo Torriani, director of the Giro d'Italia from 1949 to 1989, but after visiting it he decided it was too hard. The 8 km climb begins near Lake Garda in Castello di Brenzone, between Bardolino and Malcesine. Steep sections can be from 15% to 18%, and even more than 20%. See video here we published earlier; Eros Poli recounted his experience here.
The riders could not ride all the way to the top today as the summit was blocked by snow. Gibo Simoni, who accompanied the Colombians, said, "I didn't know this climb, I did it for the first time today. I was really impressed with it. I am sure that here at the Giro del Trentino we will see a beautiful stage, and that one day soon the we could see it in the Giro d'Italia."
Photos: Colombia Coldeportes training in Torbole
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