Coastal-start Marche hill country, no single climb but relentless rollers all day
Ten flat coastal kilometers out of Porto Recanati give way to relentless, scenic Marche hill country — there's no single alpine centerpiece here, and the difficulty instead comes from repeated short climbs, descents, and late-race ramps through Macerata, Filottrano, and Recanati. No single defining climb — the challenge is the accumulation: a 6.5km/4.5% opener at Porto Potenza Picena, rollers reaching 8%, Montecassiano/Montefano pitches around 5-7%, Filottrano's stepped 6-7% climb finishing at 8-9%, then more ramps near Montefiore and a late 2.5km/6% pitch before the final descent to Porto Recanati.
For the rider with only six weeks left and five to nine hours a week, this rescue plan sharpens durable mixed-terrain power, disciplined pacing, fueling, and late-race decision-making around the fitness already in place without pretending to replace a full build.
INSIDE THE SAVE MY RACE PLAN — 5–9 HR/WK
Includes zone-tailored structured rides for your devices, built-in strength with video walkthroughs, heat protocols for when your race calls for them, peloton skills workouts, and nutrition and hydration guidance.
The Complete 5 Mila Marche Gran Fondo Guide — the training, the tactics, the gear and race day, explained simply and clearly: what to do, when to do it, and why it works.
Questions? Great. Hit me up at support@roadielabs.com.
Hey, I'm Matti. I spent 11 years at TrainingPeaks, where they trusted me to teach coaches how to coach at TrainingPeaks University. I raced Amateur Elite with Rio Grande Cycling Team and podiumed my age group at Unbound 200 in 2026. I have a degree in biology and exercise physiology from St. Olaf. I'm also a middle-aged dad of three, so I know training doesn't happen in a vacuum. I help gravel riders get stupidly fast without becoming the person who brings a food scale to a party