Gran Fondo dei Sibillini

One of the longest-running cycling tours in Italy

The Gran Fondo dei Sibillini is one of the oldest and most beloved amateur cycling events in Italy, often called the "dean" of cycling tours in Central Italy. Reaching its 35th edition in 2026, the race is organized by ASD Nuova Sibillini and takes place in the heart of the province of Macerata, in the Marche region, within the natural scenery of the Monti Sibillini National Park.

For over thirty years, the event remained linked to the Municipality of Caldarola, from where its long history began; since 2025, the start and finish have moved to Pievebovigliana, a hamlet of the Municipality of Valfornace, which now hosts the event's headquarters at the foot of the Sibillini Mountains.

Three routes through Marche and Umbria

The Gran Fondo dei Sibillini stands out for its formula of a cycling tour with timed sections: participants ride safely on open roads, but two of the three routes include timed sectors that allow for a classification for those who wish to compete. You can choose between:

• Long Route – approximately 156 km and 2,934 m of elevation gain, featuring the iconic climbs of Forca di Presta (1,536 m, the event's Cima Coppi) and the plateau of Castelluccio di Norcia;
• Medium Route – approximately 92 km and 1,539 m of elevation gain;
• Short Route – approximately 65 km and 1,150 m of elevation gain, suitable for those tackling the Marche mountains for the first time.

The routes wind through villages and plateaus on the border between Marche and Umbria, offering panoramic views of the entire Apennine ridge.

Sport, Landscape, and Hospitality

Beyond the sporting dimension, the Gran Fondo dei Sibillini is a celebration of the territory: numerous refreshment and refueling points are set up along the routes, while at the finish line, cyclists can enjoy the traditional pasta party with fruit, desserts, and Vernaccia, a typical wine from the Macerata hinterland. The event is part of the Granfondo Marche circuit and attracts enthusiasts from all over Italy each year, contributing to the enhancement of an area severely affected by the 2016 earthquake and now at the forefront of a new season of slow and sporting tourism.

Cycling through the Municipality of Valfornace and the Monti Sibillini Park means traversing one of the green hearts of the Marche region, amidst high-altitude meadows, mountain lakes, and ancient sanctuaries like that of Macereto.