Nove Colli 2026: choose the route and the Bike Hotel in Cesenatico

It is the oldest Gran Fondo cycling race in the world and a competition that has been providing real emotions, shared effort and the genuine flavour of Italian cycling tradition since 1971. On 24 May 2026, the Nove Colli will once again bring colour and sporting passion to the Canal Port in Cesenatico, pushing cyclists all the way to the challenging Romagna hills.

The Nove Colli is an event that, with its 55 editions, has left permanent memories in the participants’ minds: anticipation, sense of community, concentration… and the adrenaline that rises as the start of the race gets closer. Emotions, with that feeling of belonging linked to cycling that’s so hard to forget, remain impressed forever. Now it’s time to think about the 2026 edition and write a new chapter of a success story together.

Every kilometre counts in this adventure, which is why the competition includes 3 routes that all start from the Canal Port in Cesenatico and are designed to adapt to every type of cyclist:

• IL LUNGO – THE LONG, the Nove Colli for athletes
• IL MEDIO – THE MEDIUM, for amateur cyclists
• LALTRO – THE OTHER, a new way to experience the Nove Colli

 The LONG Nove Colli for athletes

For true purists and for those looking for the absolute challenge: with 189 km of emotion and endurance, and an elevation gain of 3265 metres, this stage honours the long history of the Nove Colli, putting even the best-trained athletes to the test. The 189 km include challenging climbs and technical descents.

The stages

• Iconic climbs: the climbs are progressive for the first few kilometres of the route, bringing to mind the old spirit of the race. After that, the climbs become more serious: Polenta, Pieve di Rivoschio, the legendary Barbotto, Montetiffi, Perticara, Monte Pugliano, Passo delle Siepi and Sogliano.
• A thrilling finale: the final phase, when the cyclists head towards the finishing line in Cesenatico, features a route that unfolds along traditional streets, offering views of the Romagna countryside and culminating in a spectacular finale, where the pace slows down, allowing cyclists to enjoy their last effort before the final celebration.

LONG route numbers

• Length: 189 km
• Maximum height: 790 m
• Elevation gain: 3265 m
• Maximum gradient: 18%

MEDIUM route, for amateur cyclists

The medium route is a perfect compromise between effort and fun. Its 138 km, with an elevation gain of 1827 m, require a good level of training – in a perfect combination of flat stretches and steep climbs – but they promise a race full of beauty and satisfaction, ideal for those who want to challenge themselves without overdoing it.

The stages

• Iconic climbs: after the first few kilometres, the route enters the Romagna Apennine hills, passing close to small towns and villages that tell us about the history and tradition of the area. After that, the first climb to tackle is in the Bertinoro area – Polenta – Pieve di Rivoschio, Ciola and up to Barbotto.
• Strategic crossroads: around the 95 km mark, there is a turning point, which is a gate separating the options for those who want to try the LONG route or stay on the MEDIUM route.
• Arrival in Cesenatico: the finale follows historical and traditional roads, leading participants towards the finishing line, in the splendid and enchanting setting of the Canal Port in Cesenatico.

MEDIUM ROUTE numbers

• Length: 139 km
• Maximum height: 570 m
• Elevation gain: 1827 m
• Maximum gradient: 18%

THE OTHER route, a new way to experience the Nove Colli

It’s not just a simple route: THE OTHER route is an invitation to discover a new way of experiencing the race. With 60 km and 438 m of elevation gain, this short but intense challenge offers a different experience, made up of rhythm and lightness, for those who want to experience the emotion of the Nove Colli in an innovative way.

The stages

• Innovation along the route: THE OTHER route is not just a race “from A to B”. It is a route designed to give participants a dynamic experience, with an alternating pace and checkpoints marking the route.
• Beyond the race: during the 60 km, cyclists cross rural landscapes and typical small towns of Romagna, with refreshment points dedicated to typical products and without timing chips.
• Festive finale: as with the other routes, the finishing line in Cesenatico treats participants to a sense of belonging and the joy of finishing a race that’s much more than a simple sporting challenge: it is a celebration dedicated to sport!

THE OTHER route numbers

• Length: 60 km
• Maximum height: 363 m
• Elevation gain: 438 m
• Maximum gradient: 6%

Hotels recommended by Nove Colli with the Hotel + Bib option

Passion, competition and belonging are what bring the participants of the Nove Colli together, regardless of the route chosen. However, there’s something else the athletes – professionals or amateurs – agree upon: the best way to experience the race is to arrive in Cesenatico at least a day or two early, in order to be ready and stress-free at the starting grid.

This is why the Hotels in Cesenatico for the Nove Colli propose a Hotel + Bib option, with a selection of exclusive and dedicated services:

• Bib at the “Bike Hotels” privileged grid
• Race pack pick-up and drop-off at hotel
• Fortified breakfast from 4 o’clock in the morning
• Lunch and dinner with typical local dishes
• Bike room, safe and protected storage space for your bike
• Possibility of taking your bike to your room
• On-site mechanical and biomechanical assistance with the Consortium’s partners
• Laundry service for sports garments, on request
• Possibility of physiotherapy service, on request
• Staff ready to help you make your Nove Colli event unique

Registration for the 54th edition of the Granfondo Nove Colli 2025 is open now. The finishing line is just waiting for you to cross it. Get ready to cycle, relive authentic passion and, together, write a new page in the history of a race with a sporting, traditional and, above all, a truly emotional feel: the Nove Colli 2025 is upon us!