Gran Sasso MTB Marathon – Angelo D'Onofrio Memorial

A mountain bike marathon in the heart of the Gran Sasso

The Gran Sasso MTB Marathon – Angelo D'Onofrio Memorial is one of the most anticipated off-road events of the Abruzzo season. The race takes place in Castel del Monte, a mountain village in the province of L'Aquila, taking riders across the spectacular plateaus of the Gran Sasso massif. The start is set in Via della Vittoria, in the town center, at 9:30 AM.

Two routes through forests and plateaus

The event offers two tracks that share much of the same path: the 61 km marathon and the 40 km granfondo. From the start, competitors climb toward Capo di Serra, at about 1700 meters, passing through the Bosco Cabonieri, the Voltigno plain, Vallestrina, and the Rifugio Ricotta. After a stretch on the regional road, the route continues toward the Prati di Cretarola and the canyon at the base of Monte Bolza, including the climb to the Sella di San Cristoforo (1680 m).

At the Fonte del Cane junction, the two tracks split: the marathon continues toward Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Rocca Calascio, and the Valle Polmonara, while the granfondo takes a faster dirt road that rejoins the main route before Rocca Calascio. Along the way, riders enjoy views of Monte Camicia and Monte Prena, some of the most striking in the central Apennines.

The Memorial dedicated to Angelo D'Onofrio

The race is dedicated to the memory of Angelo D'Onofrio, a highly respected figure in the Abruzzo off-road cycling world who contributed significantly to the event's development. The organization is managed by the Bike Team Bucchianico.

A stage of the Abruzzo MTB Cup

The Gran Sasso MTB Marathon is part of the Abruzzo MTB Cup circuit and attracts over a hundred participants every year from various Italian regions and, in some editions, from abroad. The unique setting, between the village of Castel del Monte and the vistas of the Gran Sasso, makes it a must-do classic for mountain bike enthusiasts in Abruzzo.