The Giro D’Italia, otherwise known as the Tour of Italy, is an annual, multiple-stage cycling race and one of the largest spectator sporting events. Millions of Italian Tiffosi fans line the roads and mountains of the Stelvio Pass to watch the cycling elite battle it out over a 3-week period. First raced in 1909, the Giro D’Italia rapidly grew in popularity to become one of the top Grand Tours today, a sporting event held in high regard and prestige in the professional cycling world.
The Stelvio Pass is located in the Ortler Alps between Stelvio and South Tyrol. The original road was built in 1820-1825 and has changed little since then. It has made 13 appearances in the Giro D’Italia and marks a major marker of the race; with an elevation of 2757 meters (9045 ft), it is the high point of the Giro. The road is distinguished by 48 hairpin turns that snake their way upwards. It is closed every August to the roughly 8000 cyclists who ride to the Pass’ peak.
A memorable moment that stood out was the epic battle between Alberto Contador of Spain and climbing specialist Andy Schleck of Luxembourg. Ultimately Contador won that year. This poster is a commemoration of that epic moment and a nod to a great spectacle.
