Granfondo Squali: routes and how to prepare
- Distance
- 125 km
- Climbing
- 2,151 m
- Highest point
- 623 m
- Categorised climbs
- 12 · up to 13 %
- Shape
- Point to point
Measured on the course you ride in Cycloscape. The organiser's own figures are below.
Elevation profile
3–623 m · 12 categorised climbsThe 6 biggest of 12 categorised climbs, in the order you ride them.
The Granfondo Squali rides from the Adriatic coast at Cattolica and Gabicce Mare into the hills on the border of Romagna and the Marche, finishing at Gabicce Monte. In recent editions the long route has been 128 km with about 2,020 m of climbing, the medium 85 km with 1,393 m and the short Squali 46 about 46 km with 700 m. It is held in May; the 2027 date has not been confirmed by the organiser.
Granfondo Squali at a glance
- Where
- Cattolica – Gabicce Mare, Italy
- Official website
- granfondosquali.it ↗
- Next edition
- Date to be confirmed by the organiser
- Routes
- Long route: 128 km, 2,020 m climbing · Medium route: 85 km, 1,393 m climbing · Squali 46: 46 km, 700 m climbing
- Terrain
- Hilly — repeated climbs
- Facts checked
- 4 November 2026, against the sources below
Full preparation and course training require Event Coach Pro.
Ride the real course on your trainer. The route of Granfondo Squali, 125 km, as a 3D world, with your trainer following its gradients — any day, and as part of your Event Coach plan. Part of Cycloscape Pro.
The routes
The Granfondo Squali offers 3 routes.
| Route | Distance | Climbing |
|---|---|---|
| Long route | 128 km | 2,020 m |
| Medium route | 85 km | 1,393 m |
| Squali 46 | 46 km | 700 m |
What the course asks of you
Behind the beaches, the hills rise quickly: short, steep climbs to hilltop villages, with gradients up to 14 % and a final climb to Gabicce Monte above the sea.
Repeated short climbs reward an even effort and low gears. Do not chase every wheel on the first hills.
How to prepare
The general shape of a good preparation, which Event Coach turns into a plan for your fitness, time and date:
- Train repeated climbs: several efforts of 8 to 15 minutes close to your threshold, with short recoveries, copy the rhythm of the Granfondo Squali.
- Build the long ride towards 128 km, so the final climbs are not the first time your legs have been out that long.
- Add a few short efforts at low cadence on steep gradients, for the ramps that come late in the day.
Pacing mistakes to avoid
The mistakes that cost riders the most on a day like this:
- Answering every climb of the Granfondo Squali with a surge: repeated climbs reward an even effort, not a burst on each ramp.
- Spending the most on the famous climb when the hardest part of the day is still to come.
- Letting the pace of the group on the flat decide how tired you arrive at the climbs.
Prepare the Granfondo Squali with Cycloscape
Tell Event Coach you are doing the Granfondo Squali, your route and what you want from the day, and it builds your preparation: structured workouts held by your trainer in ERG, Race Pacing for how to spend your effort, and Performance Lab to see whether the work is landing. Full preparation and course training require Event Coach Pro.
Frequently asked
When is the Granfondo Squali?
The organiser has not announced the next edition's date yet. Event Coach lets you set your own target date until it does.
How long are the routes of the Granfondo Squali?
Long route: 128 km with 2,020 m of climbing; Medium route: 85 km with 1,393 m of climbing; Squali 46: 46 km with 700 m of climbing. The routes of recent editions, as published in the event's presentations and club circulars.
How many riders take part?
About 3,000 riders in 2025.
Can I ride the course of the Granfondo Squali in Cycloscape?
Yes, inside Event Coach with Cycloscape Pro: once you start your preparation, the course is ridden on your trainer as part of the plan.