#TotA Day 3: From Lana to Niederdorf/Villabassa, that’s the day of the Furkelpass/Passo Furcia

Good morning from the Tour of the Alps!

The third stage is likely to be a clear-cut test of the 2022 edition, with little chance to hide. From Lana to Niederdorf/Villabassa, the riders will face a challenging 154,6 km course, with a first ascent towards Feldthurns/Velturno just setting the tone for a more demanding second half of the stage. After passing Brixen/Bressanone and entering the Pustertal Valley/Val Pusteria, the route climbs to Terenten/Terento, before the tough ascent of the Furkelpass/Passo Furcia (7.9km at 7.6%). From the top, there are still 24km to go to the finish in Niederdorf/Villabassa, with a 10km technical descent that could make further selection. 

At the start in Lana, Pello Bilbao will wear the Melinda Green Jersey as leader of the General Classification after his success in the second stage. Romain Bardet has showed very good condition so far along with the Spaniard, and so did Pavel Sivakov, who was on the break in most of yesterday’s stage but moves from afar are not to be ruled out. The slopes of the Furkelpass/Passo Furcia could also enhance the skills of pure climbers such as Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana Qazaqstan) and Esteban Chaves (EF-Education Easypost).

Green Jersey Melinda General Classification: Pello Bilbao (Bahrain Victorious)

Blue Jersey Cassa Centrale Banca Classifica KOM: Pavel Sivakov (Ineos Grenadiers)

White Jersey Würth Modyf Classifica Giovani: Santiago Sanchez Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious)

Red Jersey PMG Sport Intermediate Sprint: Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana Qazaqatan Team)

DISPOSITION

Meeting Place: 8:30, Lana, Via Andreas Hofer
Start: 10:05, Lana, Sportplatz
Finish: 14:15, Niederdorf/Villabassa, Frau Emma Strasse
Intermediate Sprint: Feldthurns/Velturno (km 55,6)
KOM: Terenten/Terento (2a cat., km 91,6); Furkelpass/Passo Furcia (1a cat., km 131,1)

THE STARTING CITY: LANA. Not far from the SPA town of Meran/Merano, this market town is surrounded by countless apple orchards, which extend into the wide Etschtal valley/Valle dell’Adige where Italy's second-longest river (the Etsch/Adige) pours from the Reschenpass. For those who appreciate Gothic art, Lana is home to the famous winged altar fashioned by German sculptor Hans Schnatterpeck.

ON THE ROAD: The alleys of the old city, the Cathedral, the ancient Bishop's Palace, and the art galleries, but also the unique charm of the Dolomites and the Plose, the local mountain to be experienced throughout the year. Starting point of the 2021 Tour of the Alps, Brixen is unique, combining urban flair and magnificent mountain scenery.

THE STAGE TASTE: Enjoy a taste journey featuring the vineyards of the Eisacktal valley (where Italy's most famous white wines are grown), the apple orchards of Natz-Schabs/Naz-Sciaves, and the potatoes of the Pustertal valley. Here you can experience the variety of Alpine and Mediterranean delights. Enjoy Eisacktal valley wine soup, potato-filled "Tirtlan” from the Pustertal valley, or Ladin "Canci checi" (deep-fried potato dumplings).

DON'T MISS: The Niederdorf/Villabassa tourism museum in Haus Wassermann documents the history of tourism in Pustertal/ Alta Pusteria. On the ground and the first floor, you can trace the foundations of tourism, the flair of the old inns, and the many spas. Also showcased is the construction of the railway line in Pustertal/Val Pusteria, which led to the development of modern tourism.

THE FINISH: NIEDERDORF/VILLABASSA. Surrounded by the Dolomites, Niederdorf/Villabassa gained international attention thanks to tourism pioneer Emma Hellenstainer, proprietor of the "Schwarzadler” inn (today’s Hotel Emma). During the late 19th century, this inn accommodated and cooked for guests from all over the world. Thanks to its healing springs, Niederdorf is also home to Italy’s only Kneipp village.

TRAFFIC CLOSURES

For this stage the authorities of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano have issued an order suspending traffic in both directions on all roads involved in the race at least 45 minutes before the start vehicle passes through and until the passage of the broomwagon.

TV DISTRIBUTION

Thanks to the broadcast of PMG Sport, 90 minutes of Live broadcast will characterize 2022 Tour of the Alps, today from 1.00 pm CET to 2.30 pm CET.

TV: Eurosport 1 (Europe, Eastern Europe, East Asia, USA, Canada, South America, Central America, the Pacific Area and the Indian Subcontinent), RaiSport (Italy, San Marino, Vatican City), Equipe TV (France), TV2 (Denmark). Austrian ORF will provide coverage of the event every evening in its news programmes.

LIVE STREAMING: Eurosport Player, GCN – Global Cycling Network, Repubblica.it, Tuttobiciweb.it, Federciclismo.it, PMG Sport.

SIDE EVENTS: 

Lana (start)

• Presentation of a puzzle related to the bike completed by the children of the primary school 

Niederdorf/Villabassa (finish)

• Finish

• Exhibition of Niederdorf/Villabassa’s traditional band

• Technical Parkour with the children and fundraising for DEBRA Foundation

• Presentation of the local typical products

• Presentation: Niederdorf/Villabassa, Kneipp Wellness village in Italy

WEATHER FORECAST: The sun keeps shining on the Tour of the Alps. Good weather will frame Stage 3 once again, with a 12°C maximum temperature expected on the on the finish line in Niederdorf/Villabassa.