A celebration on two wheels
The Schgaguler Hotel is celebrating the 20th anniversary
of the Sella Ronda Bike Day – featuring classic and modern road bikes
and accompanied by an Italian professional road cyclist
Hamburg/Kastelruth, 23 June 2026 – Road bikes have become just as common a sight in big cities as portafilter coffee machines and moustaches. Whether young or old, whether an ambitious weekend cyclist or a die-hard enthusiast: road cycling is a national sport. A fad? Perhaps. Yet this sport has a long tradition. Particularly in South Tyrol, where the Sella Ronda Bike Day is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year – 53 kilometres, four Dolomite passes, up to 20,000 enthusiasts –and all without timekeeping or rankings. This is all about people, bikes and one of the world’s most spectacular mountain landscapes. No exhaust fumes, no noise. Just the wind and the quiet ticking of the gears.
The multi-award-winning Hotel Schgaguler in Kastelruth has put together a special offer for all road cycling enthusiasts to mark this exciting anniversary from 10 to 13 September 2026: participants wishing to take part in all or part of the race will be accompanied by local road cycling veteran Claudio Camin and will have the chance to experience the technical evolution of road bikes for themselves – by riding vintage bikes (before the race) and modern road bikes. Claudio Camin, the 55-year-old from Bolzano, epitomises the technical evolution of road bikes and has some unforgettable stories to tell on the subject. He himself secured his first victories at the age of 11 on his blue-green Bianchi bike and took part in numerous World Cup races across Europe, including the 1996 Tour de France. Today, the 55-year-old from Bolzano builds bespoke racing bikes – feather-light, minimalist in design, and co-developed by an engineer with a background in Formula 1. Just how big is the difference between these modern racing machines and the classics? This weekend offers the perfect opportunity to find out.
There’s something for every level and every ambition. And for those who’d rather watch the Sella Ronda Bike Day from the sidelines, the views are certainly not to be missed either. After returning from their active morning, participants can enjoy a magnificent spa, excellent regional cuisine and a good night’s sleep in rooms that couldn’t be more beautifully designed. And all with a view of the Dolomites.
The Schgaguler Hotel has won numerous awards for its design. Its wonderful cuisine combines South Tyrolean and Italian specialities, and the spa – complete with a pool and saunas – is the perfect place to unwind after hikes, bike rides and wine tastings – just like in the elegant rooms with their clean lines and floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of the mighty Schlern, one of the kings of the Dolomites.
We’d be happy to provide you with information and photos – and to arrange for you to take part in this cycling tour as part of your research.
