Amateur cycling event · Hotel Dory 4 stars · Riccione, Adriatic Riviera

Gran Fondo degli Squali — Cattolica, Romagna and Marche by bike

Amateur cycling · 3 routes from 46 to 128 km · Gabicce · Mondaino · Tavullia · Gradara · Every mid-May · Cattolica 8 km away

Every mid-May 3 routes Closed roads Rest stops and pasta party Race pack in hotel Briefing included

Next edition

Mid-May 2027

Dates to be confirmed

3,200+ participants

from around the world every year

The gran fondo

From the Cattolica Aquarium — just 8 km from Hotel Dory Riccione — you climb and descend through the beautiful villages of Romagna and Marche in one of Italy's most beloved amateur cycling events. Gabicce, Fiorenzuola di Focara, Mondaino, Saludecio, Gradara, Tavullia: places that have seen the pink jersey of the Giro d'Italia pass through many times, which for one day become the stage for thousands of passionate riders. With over 3,200 participants, the Gran Fondo degli Squali is the perfect choice for anyone who wants to experience cycling as a real celebration — from hotel-managed registration to the final pasta party at Gabicce Monte.

Event highlights

Amateur cycling 3 routes available Closed roads Rest stops and pasta party Shark Arena — 70+ exhibitors Cattolica 8 km from Riccione 3,200+ participants

Practical information

To participate you must hold a recognised UCI licence or purchase a day licence at an additional cost of €10.
The roads on the course are closed to traffic for the entire duration of the race. Mechanical and medical assistance is guaranteed throughout the route.
Rest stops along the route: Monte Altavelio · Mondaino · Super Ristoro Tavullia · Maxi Ristoro Gabicce Monte (flatbread, blue fish and beer).
The Shark Arena inside the Cattolica Aquarium hosts over 70 exhibitors from the cycling world — open to visitors throughout the event weekend.
The day before the race, the Squali Gravel also takes place in the Valle del Conca: Toro Tour (80 km · 1,650 m elevation gain) and Verdesca Tour (45 km · 700 m elevation gain), for those who want to ride on Saturday too.

The routes — choose your distance

Three courses for three types of challenge, all starting from the Cattolica Aquarium and finishing at Gabicce Monte.

Granfondo — Long Route

Lively, challenging and fun. Boredom is banned.

128 km 2020 m D+ max 14%

Main climbs: San Giorgio–Mondaino · Tavullia · Panoramica del San Bartolo. Rest stops: Monte Altavelio · Mondaino · Super Ristoro Tavullia · Maxi Ristoro Gabicce Monte.

Medio Fondo — Medium Route

Exciting, accessible and varied.

81 km 1371 m D+ max 8%

Main climbs: Santa Maria del Monte–Saludecio–Mondaino · Tavullia · Panoramica del San Bartolo. Same rest stops as the long route.

Squali 46 — Dedicated to Valentino Rossi

With a stop at the VR46 Store in Tavullia. Finish at Gabicce Monte.

46 km Accessible €46

The magic number route — dedicated to the Doctor. Stop at the VR46 Store in Tavullia and a final rest stop at Gabicce Monte with flatbread, blue fish and beer.

Hotel Dory Programme

The cycling weekend with Dory Bike Experience

Saturday
19:00 — Evening briefing at the hotel
Information on the route, timings and practical tips · race bib distribution
Sunday
06:00 — Hearty breakfast
The perfect start to a race day
07:00
Group ride to Cattolica
~15 minutes by bike · approximately 8 km · arrival at the Cattolica Aquarium
08:00
Official race start
From the Cattolica Aquarium — good luck to all!
Evening
Celebration on the terrace
We celebrate the best times of our participants on the Hotel Dory terrace
🚴

Dory Bike Experience — everything included

Registration · race pack in room · briefing · final celebration

With Dory Bike Experience you don't need to think about a thing: we manage the registration at the special rate, deliver the race pack directly to your room and welcome you on Saturday evening for the briefing with all the information you need. On Sunday evening we celebrate together the best times on the terrace. Click the button in the right column to register.

How to register

Fee structure — registration through Hotel Dory

Race entry at the special Dory rate — includes registration management, race pack delivered to your room and Saturday evening briefing (Granfondo or Medio Fondo)
€5 — microchip rental for timing
€5 — microchip deposit (refunded on return)
€10 — day licence (only for those without a UCI licence · additional)
Current rate for the next edition — fees vary depending on the registration period. Contact us for the latest price.

For the Squali 46 route, the entry fee is always €46, payable directly on the official website granfondosquali.it. For all routes, registering through Hotel Dory gives you the advantage of receiving the race pack in your hotel room and the Saturday evening briefing included.

Frequently asked questions

+How many routes does the Gran Fondo degli Squali offer?
Three routes are available: the Granfondo (128 km · 2,020 m elevation gain), the Medio Fondo (81 km · 1,371 m elevation gain) and the Squali 46 (46 km), dedicated to Valentino Rossi with a stop at the VR46 Store in Tavullia and a final rest stop at Gabicce Monte featuring flatbread, blue fish and beer.
+What does the registration with Hotel Dory include?
By registering through Hotel Dory you receive a race entry at the special Dory rate, full registration management, race pack delivered directly to your room and a Saturday evening briefing. An additional €5 is required for microchip rental and €5 as a refundable deposit. Those without a UCI licence add €10 for a day licence. Contact us for the current rate for the next edition.
+Is a cycling licence required to participate?
Yes, you must hold a recognised UCI licence or purchase a day licence at an additional cost of €10. Both the entry fee and the licence can be managed through Hotel Dory — you don't need to worry about a thing.
+How do I get to the start from Hotel Dory?
The start is at the Cattolica Aquarium, approximately 8 km from Hotel Dory Riccione. On Sunday morning the group sets off together from the hotel by bike at 7:00, reaching the start line in around 15 minutes — no car transfer needed, you begin the day already in race mode.

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