Alberto Bettiol is competing for Italy at the Paris Olympics but wants to bike home. From pilgrimage routes to Rome e-biking, these are his favorite Italian rides.
Many tourists visit Italy for its art and gastronomy. Outside its masterpiece-filled museums and world-renowned restaurants in jewel-like towns, you’ll discover stunning natural settings of large lakes, rocky mountain ranges, and bucolic hills with postcard-perfect villages. A cyclist’s paradise.
Italy’s 20 regions have great bike routes, supporting a strong cycling economy. We interviewed Tuscan-born UCI WorldTeam EF Education–EasyPost road racer Alberto Bettiol about his favorite Italian cycling experiences.
Since 2014, Alberto Bettiol has raced in the world’s top cycling events as a professional road rider. He won the Milan-Turin cycling event in 2024 and will represent Italy in the Paris Olympics.
Cycling is popular in Italy, adds Bettiol. “We have a tradition of cycling since the early 1900s, starting with Learco Guerra and, of course, Gino Bartali.”
Bettiol, who won the 2024 Milan-Turin, Giro d’Italia, and Tour de France, will represent Italy at the Paris Olympics. “Then I’m heading back to Tuscany,” says. I’ll finally get time off… Because they’re usually outdoors, professional bikers find it hard to identify ‘home’ I return to Castelfiorentino as soon as feasible.”
Bettiol enjoys biking across Italy for fun and refueling at food stops. “It’s nice to visit Florence, Siena, Pisa,” Bettiol adds. “But Italy has little towns with history, landscape, and delicious cuisine. Every meal has a backstory.”
Here are Bettiol’s top Italian cycling trips.
1. Val d’Orcia (gravel or road bike) for wine enthusiasts
With its rolling hillsides and gorgeous Renaissance architecture, Bettiol’s home Tuscany is on every Italophile’s bucket list, as shown by the massive visitor traffic. The champion’s favorite cycling destination is Tuscany, with its winding strade bianche (white gravel roads).
Bettiol’s Giro di Tuscany begins in Siena, famous for its Palio horse race, which takes place twice a year in the cavernous Piazza del Campoon on 2 July and 16 August. It then heads south through Montalcino, Pienza, and Montepulciano, the Val d’Orcia valley’s russet-colored villages. “Val d’Orcia is a Unesco World Heritage site,” adds. “You can go wine tasting in Montalcino and try Pienza’s famous pecorino cheese.”
Montalcino’s rich Brunello wine pairs well with Pecorino di Pienza, a milder Roman cheese. Bettiol drops his kickstand at Montalcino’s Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona winery. “You can name a wine Brunello di Montalcino only if it’s grown in Montalcino,” adds.
The Val d’Orcia cycle might take hours or a weekend. “You can’t make a mistake if you stay at an Airbnb or agritourism over there,” Bettiol explains. “They’re all lovely and probably offer grandmother-made cuisine. That’s experience too.”
2. Rome (e-bike) is best for urban riding.
Bettiol prefers road cycling, although he loves gritty Italian urban biking, especially in Rome. In “Rome is beautiful,” Bettiol comments. “You’ve got to do Rome by bike.”
Despite the constantly touristed city, Bettiol says riding two wheels past the famed landmarks and heat-stricken throng offers it a fresh flavor. But “Rome is so chaotic,” he says. “Be careful of asphalt holes. Lots of electric scooters and taxi drivers—crazy. City life is hectic.”
Bettiol enjoys wandering Rome’s historic alleyways and hearing the bittersweet sound of decaying Roman ruins peering through Baroque piazzas and Renaissance palaces. Naturally, refueling with Rome’s famed pasta. “You have to eat traditional Roman dishes like bucatini all’amatriciana and cacio e pepe,” he adds. “I love having dinner next to the Colosseum.”
3. Best for pilgrimage: By bike, Via Francigena
Italy’s bicycle culture began in the early 1900s, but this 6th-century pilgrimage path is now a hiking and riding track. From Canterbury, England, the Via Francigena took medieval pilgrims to Rome’s sacred sites via France, Switzerland, and Italy to Apulia.
Bettiol has spent his life watching pilgrims and bikers go through Castelfiorentino on Via Francigena. “It’s incredible how many people do it,” he adds. The idea of building this route from Canterbury to Rome is remarkable. Ages ago. These stunning sceneries make it irrelevant if you’re religious.”
Modern pilgrims and explorers have it far easier than their modest ancestors had on the 1,700km track, which covers Alpine, woodland, lake, and hill landscapes, including some of Europe’s oldest roadways. The Via Francigena has sponsored hostels, B&Bs, Airbnbs, eateries, and well-stocked service stations. “Everything is tracked,” Bettiol adds of the trail’s GPS stations. “So you don’t get lost.”
Web: https://viefrancigene.org/en/
Instagram: @viafrancigena_eu
4. Best romantic weekend road bike: Langhe
“Another part of Italy that I really like is the Langhe area, south of Turin,” he adds. There are steeper Tuscany-like slopes. Beautiful wine. Beautiful meal!”
Bettiol recommends a romantic weekend in Italy’s lower Piedmont region’s Langhe region, between the River Po and the Ligurian Apennines: “Bike in the morning, wine tasting in the evening. Perfect.”
Bettiol’s two-day bike trip begins in Alba, known for its white truffles. “That’s where the uphill climb begins,” he adds. “It’s this landscape full of steep hills, vineyards and little towns with little castles on top of little hills.” The city’s excursions include the Ferrero Factory, which makes Nutella, and its delicious smell. “You can also visit Turin,” adds Bettiol. “Not far. Fiat’s historical city is significant.”
But Bettiol’s favorite Langhe destination is the five-star Relais San Maurizio in Santo Stefano Belbo. “Not so cheap,” he cautions. But it’s lovely. A high monastery turned relais and luxury château. This medieval deconsecrated church serves breakfast among vines. The spa uses Black Sea water. Also, a Michelin-starred restaurant. You struggle on the bike, then rest.”
5. Lakes Region (road bike, e-bike, or electric road cycle) for a week-long excursion
Where visitors see a cheeky photo, Bettiol sees a week-long bike adventure on Northern Italy’s crystalline lakes.
The ducal Borromeo dynasty held the three Borromean Islands in Lake Maggiore, which Bettiol recommends beginning from. Continue to Lake Lugano and Lake Como after 39km of fast cycling. “George Clooney’s villa, of course, all the actors’ [villas],” he adds. “Go north from Lake Como to discover Bellagio. It takes a great, historic climb to reach that tiny village.” From Bellagio, climb 9km to La Madonna del Ghisallo, the cyclists’ patron saint, and the Museo del Ciclismo, where Bettiol says “you’ll find old jerseys and learn about the sport’s history”.
Final destination is Lake Garda 180km southeast. “The biggest lake in Italy,” says Bettiol. “The circle exceeds 200km. Beautiful towns like Sirmione. Go north to Trentino and eat polenta (savoury cornmeal), wonderful in winter. Lots of bars up there, perfect for riders.”
The five-star Lefay Resort & Spa on Garda Lake in Gargnano is Bettiol’s preferred lodging, and he rides a road bike, e-bike, or electric cycle. The lakes are large, he explains. “So you can go faster.”
6. Dolomites (mountain bike) for steep climbs
Summer brings visitors to Italy and Italians to the Dolomites.
The Dolomites, a mountain area in north-eastern Italy, are the best Italian getaway for its delicious food, countless outdoor activities, and moderate summer temperatures that seldom exceed 25C.
“You have to be prepared because the climbs are long and tough,” he explains. “But I love the Dolomites.”
Bettiol suggests a week to climb and cross the area’s grand mountain passes. “Start with Sellaronda,” Bettiol suggests. Then Pordoi, Valparola, Sella. Visitors to Val di Fassa may visit San Pellegrino. We visit annually with the Giro d’Italia.”
Livigno, the “Tibet of Italy” in the Valtellina Valley, is another Bettiol favorite. “There’s great cycling there, and you’ll find professional riders,” he adds. “Like me, I cycle there since 2011. Close to Tirano, you may take the Bernina Express.” This train goes through Switzerland’s most stunning Alpine vistas, gorges, and glaciers, making it fun to ride instead of peddle.
“When I retire from cycling, maybe I’ll work in tourism,” Bettiol thinks. “I like instructing visitors. I appreciate their passion. I may undertake this new journey when I end my career.”
