3rdth edition · 2nd Giovanni Alessi Memorial
Granfondo MTB Valle dei Templi 2026
Sunday 29 March 2026, start at 9:30 am.
A mountain bike granfondo through the countryside around the Valley of the Temples, Agrigento — Sicily.
- 45km
- 1,300m climbing
- 3feed stations
- 3courses
The 2026 edition
The 3rdth edition of the Granfondo MTB Valle dei Templi, the 2nd Giovanni Alessi Memorial, takes place on Sunday 29 March 2026. The race village, start and finish are at Piano San Gregorio, just east of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento.
The course runs on provincial, municipal and private roads and farm tracks through the hamlets of Montaperto and Giardina Gallotti, with the Temple of Juno in sight. Born in 2024 with 251 entrants, the race grew to 340 finishers in 2026 and is a round of the Coppa Sicilia MTB series of the Italian Cycling Federation. Since 2025 it has been dedicated to the memory of Giovanni Alessi, a local entrepreneur who died in 2013.
Alongside the granfondo there is a dedicated E-MTB category and a non-competitive leisure ride.
Key facts
- Date
- 29/03/2026
- Edition
- 3rdth
- Meeting point
- Teatro La Panoramica dei Templi — Agrigento
- Start & finish
- Piano San Gregorio, via Giuseppe La Loggia — Agrigento
- Start time
- 09:30
- Granfondo
- 45 km · 1,300 m D+
- E-MTB
- 45 km · 1,300 m D+
- Leisure ride
- 20 km · 600 m D+
- Organiser
- A.S.D. Akra Bike Agrigento
Map, elevation and GPX
The courses
Il percorso lungo: 45 km e 1.300 m di dislivello positivo su strade provinciali, comunali e private, attraverso Montaperto e Giardina Gallotti con rientro a Piano San Gregorio. Tre punti di ristoro e traguardo volante sul valico di Giardina Gallotti per i primi tre.
Categoria dedicata alle e-bike, sullo stesso tracciato della granfondo con partenza anticipata alle 9:15. Premi ai primi tre.
Percorso non competitivo di 20 km e 600 m di dislivello positivo, con partenza alle 9:45 dopo la granfondo: il modo più tranquillo per pedalare sotto i templi.
Sunday 29 March 2026
Race day timetable
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Meeting point and race number pick-up Teatro La Panoramica dei Templi.
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E-MTB start Piano San Gregorio, via Giuseppe La Loggia.
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Granfondo start Long course, 45 km.
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Leisure ride start 20 km course.
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First riders at the finish Approximate time.
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Pasta party For riders and staff.
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Prize-giving Opened by the Giovanni Alessi Memorial: top 5 overall, top 3 e-bikes, Giardina Gallotti intermediate sprint.
Entry
Entry fees and registration
| Fee | Until | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Entry fee | 27/03/2026 | €40.00 |
One free entry for every 10 riders from the same club.
Registration is online only: Italian Cycling Federation (FCI) members register on Fattore K, everyone else on Speedpass (race IDs 179326, 179327). No entries on race day.
Registration links (Italian page)For international visitors
Practical information
Getting there
- Palermo Falcone-Borsellino (PMO): about 2 hours by car (≈ 140 km) on the SS121/SS189; direct buses to Agrigento several times a day.
- Catania Fontanarossa (CTA): about 2 h 15 min by car (≈ 165 km) via the A19 and SS640; direct coaches to Agrigento.
- Trapani Birgi (TPS): about 2 h 30 min by car along the south-west coast.
- By train: regional trains run from Palermo Centrale to Agrigento Centrale in about 2 hours; bikes travel free on most regional services in a bag or on the bike rack.
Where to stay
- Agrigento old town: B&Bs and small hotels on Via Atenea, 15 minutes by car from the start.
- Villaggio Mosè and Piano San Gregorio: hotels with parking and bike storage, a few minutes from the race village.
- San Leone: the seaside district, ideal if you are bringing family and staying a few days.
- Ask the organisers for the list of partner accommodation with bike-friendly services.
Make a trip of it
- The Valley of the Temples (UNESCO World Heritage Site) is right next to the course: plan a visit on Saturday.
- Late March is ideal riding weather in southern Sicily: 12–20 °C, but the tracks can be muddy after rain — the 2026 edition was raced in the mud.
- Our permanent cycling itineraries let you ride the area all year round.
Racing as a foreign rider
- The race is an Italian Cycling Federation (FCI) event: you need a valid racing licence for the current year and a medical certificate for competitive sport.
- Riders licensed with other UCI national federations should contact the organisers before registering.
- The leisure ride is non-competitive, but still requires registration in advance.
Contacts
Questions in English are welcome: write to akrabikeag@gmail.com.
Salvatore Longo
Technical director and timing (Speedpass Palermo)
+39 339 2328012 speedpass.palermo@gmail.comOn race day, open the race-day page on your phone: timetable, map with feed stations and phone numbers, available even without signal (Italian).