#TotA Day 3 – The South Tyrol Stage: Furkelpass/Passo Furcia leads to Innichen/San Candido

Good morning from the 2025 Tour of the Alps! Yesterday, the Euro-regional stage race entered Südtirol/Alto Adige — a land of breathtaking landscapes and demanding climbs.

Stage 3, taking place on Wednesday, April 23rd, features key challenges such as Untermoi/Antermoia, Furkelpass/Passo Furcia, and Vierschachberg/Monte Versciaco. Riders will cover 145.5 km from Sterzing-Ratschings/Vipiteno-Racines to Innichen/San Candido, in the heart of the Pustertal/Val Pusteria and the 3 Zinnen Dolomites region.

Michael Storer starts the day in the Melinda Green Jersey, following his impressive victory in Sterzing/Vipiteno.

Speed should dominate the opening 55 km of Stage 3, as the 145,5 km South Tyrolean route begins with an extended flat section out of Sterzing/Vipiteno-Ratschings/Racines. The race's character changes dramatically at the first-time inclusion of the Untermoi/Antermoia climb. A fast, flowing descent on wide roads leads to the day's major challenge: Furkelpass/Passo Furcia, whose final 4 km feature relentlessly steep, double-digit gradients.

After descending from Furkelpass/Passo Furcia, riders get their first glimpse of the finish in Innichen/San Candido before embarking on a decisive 21 km circuit. The circuit's main obstacle, Vierschachberg/Monte Versciaco, packs a serious punch over its 5 km length. From its summit, roughly 11 km from the finish, the route traces a twisting path along the ridgeline before plunging down a technical descent into Innichen/San Candido, in the 3 Zinnen Dolomites/3 Cime Dolomiti area.

#TOTA 2025 JERSEYS

Green Jersey Melinda (General Classification): Michael Storer (Tudor Pro Cycling Team)
Blue Jersey Gruppo Cassa Centrale (KOM Classification): Xavier Finlay Pickering (Bahrain Victorious)
Red Jersey Würth (Points Classification): Giulio Ciccone (LIDL-Trek)
White Jersey FORST (Youth Classification): Paul Seixas (Decathlon-Ag2r)
Black Jersey BAZR (Breakaway King): Koen Bouwman (Team Jayco-AlUla)

START: STERZING-RATSCHINGS/VIPITENO-RACINES. Sterzing/Vipiteno, an enchanting alpine town in Isartal/Valle Isarco, earned its place among Italy's most beautiful villages. With its vibrant houses, inviting shopping lanes, and medieval squares, the town captivates visitors at every turn. The picturesque main street, bridging the Old and New Towns, preserves the allure of the late Middle Ages. Ratschings/Racines is one of the largest communities on the southern side of the main Alpine ridge. Ratschings is an unspoilt area full of natural treasures and sights, including the impressive waterfalls of the Gilfenklamm Gorge near Stange and the Becherhaus mountain hut, the highest mountain hut in Südtirol/Alto Adige.

ON THE ROAD: The well-preserved Welsperg/Monguelfo Castle rises northeast of Welsberg village in Pustertal valley. This rare architectural form, known as a core castle, features an unusually tall keep - its oldest element - constructed between 1126 and 1140. Significant expansions and renovations followed in the 15th and 16th centuries.

THE STAGE TASTE: Generations of farming have established Pustertal Valley as Südtirol/Alto Adige's potato-growing heartland, with fertile fields reaching 1,300 meters elevation. The distinctive 'Pusterer Bergkartoffeln' mountain potatoes flourish here, with 25 premium varieties cultivated through environmentally conscious methods, careful selection, and optimal storage. These potatoes offer rich carbohydrates, vital minerals, high-quality protein, and numerous vitamins.

DON'T MISS: St. Vigil/San Vigilio's Nature Park Visitor Center introduces the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park, Südtirol/Alto Adige’s second-largest protected area. The center offers insights through exhibitions covering Dolomite formation, the 1987 Conturines cave bear discovery, the park's primary habitats, and a three-dimensional terrain model illustrating regional geomorphology.

FINISH: INNICHEN/SAN CANDIDO. Innichen/San Candido lies in the Dolomites' heart, amid the 3 Zinnen/3 Cime region. Dramatic peaks, alpine meadows, and dense forests create perfect conditions for outdoor activities, particularly cycling. The UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites attract diverse enthusiasts, from hikers and mountaineers to cyclists of all abilities.

TV DISTRIBUTION

Every day, two hours of live broadcast will characterize 2025 Tour of the Alps, from 12.30 to 14.30 CET, thanks to the production and international distribution of Infront Sports&Media.

TV: Eurosport (Europa, Asia), RaiSport (Italia, San Marino, Vatican City), Equipe TV (France, Monaco, Andorra), Flosports (United States, Canada), Sports5 (Israel). Highlights will also be distributed across Europe and the Netherlands via EBU News and NOS. 

WEATHER FORECAST: It will be 13 degrees with a risk of light rain at the departure point in Sterzing/Vipiteno. Cloudy skies and a temperature of 12 degrees are expected in Innichen/San Candido.