Road Cycling Event
Closed + Managed Roads // 13km Gravel Sector // Mt Buang + Lake Mountain
LOCATION
Marysville, Victoria
DISTANCE
144.1km
ELEVATION
3,291m
GRAVEL SECTOR
13.2km
Giro della Donna
Sunday, 24 November 2024
Starting and finishing in the heart of the stunning township of Marysville, and with a dramatic climb to the top of Lake Mountain to finish the timed sections of the course, the Giro della Donna has become one of the most unique and talked-about routes in Australia.
The course is unique in terms of beauty, the amount of climbing, the 13km Gravel Sector, climbing Mt Donna Buang and the true mountain-top timed finish at Lake Mountain. This is a challenge for any cyclist, but is attainable and can be enjoyed by all.
But it’s the setting that will have you reliving the ride over and again in your mind. Not far from the start in the tourist town of Marysville you’ll find yourself among tall-timbered giants on the single-lane Acheron Way. The 13km Gravel Sector of road-bike-friendly hard-packed gravel delivers you to your first challenge of the day: a consistent 6% for 8km to the summit at the top of Mt Donna Buang. An incredible 20km descent follows down to the outskirts of Warburton. From there we roll the furthest reaches of the Upper Yarra Valley where you’ll be immersed in temperate rainforest as you tackle the lesser known Reefton climb, featuring more than 180 corners as it snakes its way toward the Alpine resort, and the final challenge of the day, of Lake Mountain. The only thing left after crossing the line atop the mountain? An incredible descent back into the event village Marysville.
Giro della Donna 145km
Sunday, 24 November 2024
8:00am - Maglia Rosa (Elite Group)
8:05am - Gruppetto (Social Group)
(All Super Early-Bird & Early-Bird places are sold out).
Standard Online Entry: $239
At-Event Entry: $259
Combination Pricing
Gravel Giro + Giro della Donna
Standard Online Entry: $369
At-Event Entry: $389
Criterio + Giro della Donna
Standard Online Entry: $239
At-Event Entry: $259
Gravel Giro + Criterio + Giro della Donna
Standard Online Entry: $409
At-Event Entry: $449
Timed Climbing Sectors
For the 145km Giro della Donna, four timed climbing sectors give you a chance to stretch your legs and put yourself (and your mates) to the test. The times of the respective sectors are added together, giving you your total accumulated time. From there, we celebrate the King and Queen of the #GirodellaDonna!
Timed Climbing Sector #1:
Acheron Way with the Gravel Sector
27.27km / 471m / 1.1%
From Marysville we have a few kilometres of gentle climbing, followed by a very fast descent. We then take a sharp left-turn on to the Acheron Way. This marks the start of the first timed sector.
What follows is one of the most amazing cycling roads in Victoria, if not Australia: a well-sealed, quiet, narrow road that winds its way through temperate rainforest and towering gums. Even if you’re pushing yourself for a good time, be sure to look up and around you once in a while.
The first 15km of the Acheron Way tends generally upwards but you’ll barely notice it. The next section is a little more challenging.
Then the Acheron Way turns to gravel, and it’s where we celebrate with the Gravel Sector. The gradient also increases a little. The surface is well and truly rideable on a road bike (just avoid the occasional pothole) but we recommend 28mm+ tyres or a sturdy 25mm option. But don’t worry, we will have your back, with tubes and a track pump every other km of the gravel; so you’re never more than 1km from what you may need to change a flat.
For much of the first half of the 13km Gravel Sector you’ll be climbing; for most of the second half you’ll be descending. Use this opportunity to rest up your legs before the second challenge of the day.
Timed Climbing Sector #2:
Donna Buang Summit
9.17km / 575m / 6.3% / Cat. 2
At Cement Creek the road becomes sealed again and you’ll turn right to begin the Mt. Donna Buang climb. It’s all uphill from this point, with an average gradient of roughly 6%, so settle in and try to find a comfortable rhythm.
When you reach a big carpark on your right there’s just 3km to go and when you pass the turn-off to Healesville on your left, you’re just 1.5km from finishing the climb. Cruelly, this final push to the summit is the steepest section of the climb. As you reach the the carpark at the Mt. Donna Buang summit, head to the left towards the lookout tower to finish the climb and the timed-section. It’s now a neutral roll down to and up the valley floor.
Timed Climbing Sector #3:
Reefton Spur
20.01km / 727m / 3.2% / Cat. 1
As soon as you turn left at Reefton and cross the bridge, the Reefton Spur climb begins. What follows is 20km of climbing at an average gradient of 3%.
The first 7km or so of the Reefton Spur climb is steadily uphill but from that point on the climbing is far less consistent. In the remaining 13km there’s never more than 3km of sustained climbing meaning there are plenty of flatter sports and even the odd short descent to give you a brief rest.
If you’re pushing yourself on this climb, you’ll have several opportunities to use the big ring on the easier grades towards the top. If you’re just trying to enjoy the scenery, be sure to look out to your left in the opening half of the climb for some terrific views over the Yarra Ranges. There’s a feed station shortly after the timed-action finish. It’s then a neutral roll to the start of the final challenge of the day, Lake Mountain.
Timed Climbing Sector #4:
Lake Mountain
10.82km / 412m / 3.7% / Cat. 2
After turning right to begin the Lake Mountain climb, you will notice the road narrows quite considerably. You will pass the winter tollbooth before enjoying a short, sharp descent. The climbing resumes with a mixture of easy gradients and short flat sections as the road winds its way casually toward the summit.
As you climb, some impressive views are possible to the left of the road and by the 6km mark, your hard work is done. As the road escapes from the tree line the gradient decreases and is only altered by the briefly-steeper sections at 7.5km, 8.9km and 10km.
The climb finishes as the road opens out and you’re welcomed at the end of the final timed-section’s finish and the Lake Mountain Alpine Resort. It’s now time for a neutral roll down to Marysville and the formal finish line. Take care, the final 4km of the descent is STEEP!
NOTE! After a pro-style, neutral descent from the Lake Mountain summit, you MUST pass under the finish arch, back at the Event Village. Otherwise a DNF (Did Not Finish) may be issued.
Feed Stations
The feed stations occur at:
1 - 037 km - Acheron Summit (Cement Creek)
2 - 048 km - Donna Buang Summit
3 - 104 km - Reefton Summit (Cumberland Junction)
4 - 123 km - Lake Mountain Summit
5 - 145 km - Marysville / Finish
Gravel Sector
13.12km / 165m / 0.5%
Mid-way up, the Acheron Way turns to gravel and the gradient increases a little. The surface is well and truly rideable on a road bike (just avoid the occasional pothole).
For much of the first half of the 13km unsealed sector (the gravelly bit) you’ll be climbing; for most of the second half you’ll be descending. Use this opportunity to rest up your legs before the push to My Donna Buang’s summit.
How difficult is the Gravel Sector?
The conditions of the 13km Gravel Sector can vary, but we keep all riders up to date on the state of the road in the lead-in to the event. The gravel is relatively hard packed and with few undulations, just take care through the corners, common sense prevails.
Although gravel requires a slightly different technique, it is not beyond most cyclists with moderate riding experience. We would strongly suggest some training on gravel roads if you have never ridden them before, they’re a heap of fun too!
Tyres do have a large impact on comfort, control and grip, so reconsider those 23mm tyres inflated to 120psi. If you can, go for 25-28mm tyres and inflation around 65-90psi (depending on tyre, rim width and rider weight). You don’t need knobby or gravel specific tyres, road tyres are fine and great.
Support
We will be there to look after any mechanical assistance you may need throughout the sector’s 13km. Armed with track pumps and tubes, we’ll have you back pedalling again before you know it.