From the sea to the mountains and back again. That’s the Giro-E Enel 2026. After Naples and the Blockhaus, today participants once again saw the sea disappearing over the horizon – this time the Adriatic, on the other side of Italy. Stage 5 began on the coast road in Grottammare, then ventured inland on a none-too-easy route, before heading back out to Fermo via the longest road.
Over 60 kilometres and 1,400 metres of elevation gain. Not exactly a rest after yesterday’s tough ascent. It’s a weekend of proper pedalling at the Giro-E. Hopefully the cyclists won’t have been too focused on their bikes because they passed through some truly stunning and unforgettable locations. Grottammare, for example, in the province of Ascoli Piceno in the Marche region, is one of I borghi più belli d’Italia (The most beautiful villages in Italy). Ancient origins, a temperate climate all year round (for which oranges are cultivated here), and a beautiful sea. As well as 23 charging stations for electric cars and two solar-powered stations for e-bikes.
Grottammare-Fermo
The Giro-E Enel very wisely borrowed the best part of today’s Giro d’Italia stage, joining the route used by the pros immediately after the start in Grottammare. Until this point, the Giro route – which began in Chieti – is long, flat and monotonous. The detour inland after Cupra Marittima, with the sudden climb to Montefiore dall’Aso, has a very different feel. The route through the Fermo hinterland offers a series of ups and downs and several “walls” to overcome, especially towards the end. After the first KOM in Montefiore dell’Aso and another in Monterubbiano, the race reaches Fermo and the Via Cardarelli ‘wall’, before joining the SS 16 Adriatica coast road. Then there is another KOM in Capodarco and soon after the Reputolo ascent (with as much as a 22% gradient on a 3.5-kilometre stretch) leading to the town of Fermo. There the route continues to climb through narrow, cobbled streets with more steep sections. The final stretch is a delight: a brief descent down to the last 750 metres and the finish line on a 10% gradient slope. It’s safe to say our intrepid e-cyclists weren’t bored today.
