LATE BASE · 12 WEEKS OUT

MARATONA DLES DOLOMITES — 12 WEEKS OUT

Bridge phase. Volume still rules, but structure begins. Built around the 138km / 4,230m profile of the Maratona Dolomites in Italy.

138 km·4,230 m climbing·6-10 hours·July

THE FOCUS RIGHT NOW

BUILD THE ENGINE.

Twelve weeks out, you're still building the base — but specific structure is starting to appear. Tempo work enters the picture one day a week. Long rides get longer. This is where the event-specific fitness starts to take shape without compromising your aerobic foundation.

THIS WEEK'S ANCHOR SESSION

TEMPO SANDWICH

2x20min at tempo (76-88% FTP) inside a 2-hour Z2 ride. Steady, controlled, not a time trial. This is your first taste of extended race-pace efforts.

THE WEEK

A TYPICAL WEEK, 12 WEEKS OUT

Monday

REST

Non-negotiable.

Tuesday

TEMPO SANDWICH (2H)

2x20min tempo inside steady Z2.

Wednesday

STRENGTH + 1H RECOVERY SPIN

Keep the gym work periodised.

Thursday

2H Z2 WITH 4X8MIN TEMPO

Progressive tempo work.

Friday

REST OR EASY 30MIN

Protect the weekend.

Saturday

4-5H LONG RIDE WITH EVENT-SPECIFIC TERRAIN

Mimic your target event's profile.

Sunday

2H Z2 RECOVERY RIDE

Active recovery, conversational pace.

DON'T DO THIS

Don't start threshold intervals yet. The build phase will come. If you jump intensity too early you'll peak 6 weeks before race day and arrive flat.

EVENT INTEL

WHAT THE MARATONA DOLOMITES ACTUALLY DEMANDS

The Maratona dles Dolomites is the classic Italian sportive — 138km over 7 Dolomite passes with 4,230m of climbing. Ballotted entry, 9,000 riders, closed roads from dawn. Arguably the most beautiful sportive on the calendar.

KEY CHARACTERISTICS

✓Seven passes: Campolongo, Pordoi, Sella, Gardena, Giau, Falzarego, Valparola
✓Passo Giau is the crux — 9.9km at 9.3%
✓Altitude 1,200-2,240m across the day
✓Early start (pre-dawn) — means the first climb is in darkness for some
✓Technical descents demand road-race confidence

COMMON MISTAKES

✕Racing the first three passes when the hardest (Giau) comes after 4 hours
✕Poor descent technique on Pordoi and Gardena losing 30+ minutes
✕Altitude-naive riders struggling with heart-rate drift on the upper passes

PACING

Start conservative — the first three passes are warm-up. Giau is the race. Control HR on Giau below threshold for the bottom half, hold the line for the top. Falzarego is the victory lap but still 600m of climbing — respect it.

FUELLING

90-110g carbs/hour. Feed zones are excellent (Italian sportives understand food) but own-supply is faster. Water at every tap — Dolomite sun is deceiving.

KIT

Climbing bike. 34x30 minimum. Light windproof gilet — descents are cold even in July. Sunscreen on arms + legs — Dolomite UV is brutal.

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FAQ

COMMON QUESTIONS AT 12 WEEKS OUT

Is 12 weeks enough to train for the Maratona dles Dolomites?+

Yes, 12 weeks is a strong window. That's enough time for a full base phase, build, peak, and taper — the classical periodisation structure. 4,230m of climbing over 138km is built with sustained Z2 volume (base) + threshold work (build) in that order.

What's the hardest part of the Maratona dles Dolomites?+

Seven passes: Campolongo, Pordoi, Sella, Gardena, Giau, Falzarego, Valparola. racing the first three passes when the hardest (Giau) comes after 4 hours — so pacing discipline is the single biggest lever most amateurs miss. Start conservative — the first three passes are warm-up.

How many hours a week should I train at 12 weeks out from the Maratona dles Dolomites?+

Aim for 8-12 hours/week if you're targeting a strong finish. The long weekend ride is the anchor (3-4 hours at build intensities) plus 3-4 structured weekday sessions. Volume matters more than intensity at this phase.

Do I need a coach to train for the Maratona dles Dolomites?+

You don't need a coach to finish. You do need structure. If you're new to sportives, have a target finish time, have a plateau you can't break, or have a history of peaking wrong, a coached plan pays for itself. Inside Not Done Yet the plan is built backwards from your event date — base, build, peak, taper timed to the week the Maratona dles Dolomites runs. 7-day free trial, $195/mo.

What gearing should I run for the Maratona dles Dolomites?+

Climbing bike. 34x30 minimum. Light windproof gilet — descents are cold even in July. Sunscreen on arms + legs — Dolomite UV is brutal.

OTHER PHASES FOR THE MARATONA DOLOMITES

Earlier phase ← 16 weeks out

BASE PHASE

Later phase → 8 weeks out

BUILD PHASE