Legendary Passo dell Mortirolo is renamed in memory of Marco Pantani

The legendary Passo dell Mortirolo has it’s name changed to honour the memory of Marco Pantani, one if Italy’s most beloved cyclists of all time. The climb will now be known as the Cima Pantani, and has been used at many editions of the Giro d’Italia. In 2004, Lance Armstrong called is the hardest climb he had ever ridden.

This announcement follows reports from the Tuttobiciweb that the infamous climb will return during the 2025 Giro d’Italia, as the pink jersey returns to the dolomites once again. The question is, will Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard or any of the other big names be there to take it on next May?

Speaking to Wielerflits, local politicians announced the name change saying, “We are very happy that the process has now been completed. Now we are waiting for a great sporting event to celebrate the inauguration in a worthy manner. It could be a time trial with the presence of the great cycling champions of the past.”

Pantani had one of his most incredible days on a bike on the Mortirolo thirty years ago, when he dropped Miguel Indurain to solo to victory during the Giro d’Italia. It is one of the most memorable moments of a beloved character, who was taken far too soon.