-       All ground transportation for the week, including pick up and drop off from airports

-       All meals and snacks for the week, including beer or wine with dinners

-       All rides are fully SAG supported with a van and mechanic with repair tools, and led by a pro cyclist who is intimate with the roads of the region

-       6 nights acommodations in a 5-star hotel in Verona, and 4-star hotel in Rimini

-       Tour of Battaglin factory, including ‘meet & greet’ with Giovanni Battaglin

-    CEO Challenges Hincapie cycling kit (bib shorts, short sleeve jersey, and long sleeve jersey) and Battaglin kit

 

Activities for non-cycling guests include:

-       Access to city bikes throughout the day

-       Cooking classes with our Italian chef

-       Beach activities (the hotel is located right at the beach)

-       Shopping - Rimini boasts a wealth of the best boutiques and designer shops, along the Corso d'Augusto

-       Bi-weekly markets offering an eclectic mix of local wares

-       Rimini is famous for its beaches, and has nearly 200 discotheques

-       Historic sites like the Arco d'Augusto, built by the Romans in 27 BC.

-       Rocca di San Leo (historic castle)

-       The Cooperativa Centofiori (Horseback Riding)

Monday, July 2 - Arrival day-Verona airport

 

·         Cyclists and guests are picked up from the Verona airport by English speaking guides and shuttled to Hotel Verona Villa Cordevigo Wine Relais http://www.villacordevigo.com/

·         Welcome Champagne toast upon arrival

·         CEO Welcome Dinner, including explanation of the week’s itinerary

 

Tuesday, July 3 – Battaglin factory visit & Transfer to Rimini     

·         Breakfast, followed by travel from Verona to the Battaglin factory

·         Meet former pro racer, CEO and company founder, Giovanni Battaglin, followed by a presentation, lunch, and tour of the factory.  Clients can get measured for bike fit, and are presented with a Battaglin kit

·         Depart for Rimini, and check into our hotel for the week - http://www.battaglin-usa.com/road/travel_accomodations.php

·         Dinner in Rimini

 

 

Wednesday, July 4 - First day on the bike

·         Once you are settled in and your bike is ready to go the group will go for an easy ride, building in time to make final adjustments to your equipment

·         Today is an adjustment day. Get familiar with your surroundings and the area. Depending on the group we ride from 20 to 80 km (45min to 3 hours) at a relaxed pace.

·         Briefing – we will talk about the following days itinerary and address specific highlights of the next day.

·         Recovery - after refueling during lunch it is fundamental to eliminate any toxins and knots in our legs and muscles from traveling. The hotel’s wellness center is perfect for a rejuvenating sauna session and a Turkish bath. Massages and other spa services are optional. Rider and non - rider participants receive a 10% discount on spa treatments all week.

·         Dinner - our chef will focus today on a high protein-low calorie intake. We could have cooked vegetables, meat and little bread. After today's easy ride our chef will prepare a light and healthy meal consisting of lots of vegetables, 100g of bread or pasta and light meats.

·         After dinner - time to explore the city, and some cycling related activities are possible.

 

Thursday, July 5 - Giro stage 5 (Italian winery for guests)

   

·         GIRO d'ITALIA stage 5 “MODENA-FANO” and visit of Winery

·         Today’s stage has a total of 199km. The length and pace of today’s stage will depend on the level of individuals and the group. We will ride along stage 5 of this year’s GIRO d'ITALIA for 3 – 5 hours (depending on level), with light climbs and descends. On the first day of real riding we will have the chance to see some of Italy’s most scenic and famous roads. Anytime of the year you will find our routes less busy than most other roads, and we only pick roads with light traffic.

·         Lunch/Snack - after today's long ride the ideal meal consists of raw vegetables, carbohydrates and healthy fats as in fish, almonds and walnuts. Your body needs healthy fats to balance the calorie output and to help to recover.

·         Recovery - after a short rest; a sauna session is a great way to get rid of any toxins build up during training. Typically two 10-minute sauna sessions will help you recover and get rid of any soreness. Massages and other spa services are optional

·         Dinner -  will have more calories than usual to help recover from today's ride. Our chef will prepare cooked vegetables and fish with little bread or alternatively pasta.

·         After dinner - time to explore the city

 

Friday, July 6 - Giro stage 6 (Italian Cooking Class for guests)

·         GIRO D’ ITALIA stage 6 “URBINO –PORTO SANT ELPIDIO”

·         Today’s stage has a total of 207km. Today’s ride will last between 2 -4 hours at a faster pace than the previous day. The main part of today's course will follow flat roads with minimal climbing. This part of the “URBINO –PORTO SANT ELPIDIO” stage is perfect for a faster overall pace.

·         Lunch/Snack - today is another day where we have to focus on our high protein - low carb diet. Our chef will prepare a good plate of pasta, raw vegetables and lean meat to increase our protein intake.

·         Recovery - after lunch we will have the chance to get some rest or optional activities followed by a Turkish bath to free the respiratory tracts. Massages and other spa services are optional

·         Dinner is the time to refuel from the days riding and activities. We will have a dinner waiting for us with cooked vegetable and lean meat (chicken/turkey is ideal low fat meat) with bread or a vegetable soup.

 

Saturday, July 7 - Marco Pantani CEO Challenge CIPPO

·         Today is the day you have been waiting for – The Cippo. One of the most famous climbs in cycling history. The climb on paper looks like your everyday hill, but try to conquer it and it will show why it is such a tough climb. This long and steady climb will test your endurance and focus. The Cippo climb is where legends are born. Today is the day of the CEO Cycling Challenge hill climb, and you can challenge one of our pro riders or Marco Pantani’s record time.  For any cyclist this is an experience you don’t want to miss. Do you have what it takes to make cycling history? "When I have to prepare the great stage races like the Giro and the Tour”, stated Marco Pantani, “I do not need to go up in France to climb the Alpe d'Huez or the Galibier, or the Gavia, the Stelvio or Mortirolo in Italy. To me it's just the Cippo. It has all the answers to my why.”

·         Lunch/Snack - after our test day and the high intensity we have burned lots of calories and today's lunch will consist of pasta, some raw vegetables and a little protein. The good news for everyone who likes sweets is that after this intense ride we can even allow ourselves a small dessert. Hydration is important especially after a high intensity workout like today.

·         Recovery - after our rest period we have our health center available for you; perfect after today's hard miles. Massages and other spa services are optional.

·         Dinner - our chef knows that we are hungry after today's Cippo stage. He will prepare cooked vegetable, protein and enough carbs to refuel after today's hard ride. Don't forget to hydrate after a long day in the saddle.

 

SUNDAY, July 8 - Day of departure, fly out of Bologna  

·         Our staff will help you to pack up your bike and/or return your rental bike.

·         Breakfast, then departure to the Bologna airport, and perhaps a short flight to France to watch the Tour in action!