Just three weeks after the Classic Run we completely change the mood. The Langhe hills give way to the highest Alpine peaks in Europe and from the relaxing cockpit of the Morgan I find myself in a Maserati MC20 with over 600 horsepower and tires at the end of their life. The hunt for hairpin bends is on, this is the Tour delle Alpi.

Words and Photos by Giorgia Rossi

Heavy rains end just 48 hours before our end-of-season event. Three years after the previous edition, it is once again time for the Tour delle Alpi, a run confirmed down to the smallest detail precisely because it is capable of elevating the deepest driving pleasure to its very limits. Doing it on these mountain roads after the end of summer could be a gamble, at least in terms of weather, but it is the move that guarantees almost completely absent traffic and the incomparable colors of the second day of autumn. Everything seems to fit together perfectly, but a landslide on the southern slope of the Col de la Bonette forces us to study an emergency plan, which once submitted to the crews will give rise to a small improvisation even more delicious than the original program.

8am strikes on the clock and the first participants begin to gather in the small village of Maddalena – in Pontechianale – where once the cars are parked in the reserved area (interrupted only by a picturesque Panda 4×4) the Bar Monviso, location identified for accreditations and breakfast, is ready to welcome all the attending enthusiasts. Despite the sun, the temperature of around 5° invites everyone to come in and enjoy the warmth of a structure entirely made of stone and wood, among croissants and various plates of local excellence, all of great quality and perfect for preventing hunger pangs from appearing in the stomach before the end of the tour.

Known and new faces, all sharing the great passion for driving on these wonderful roads. The cars are once again incredibly varied and ranges from rally icons to grand tourers, sports cars and supercars, including a Maserati MC20, or rather two given that one of the staff cars is in fact an MC20 Fuoriserie of which you will read our adventures on the next issue. Horsepower with different concepts, however linked by the innate ability to create emotions amplified by a scenario ready to take your breath away just a few kilometers from the start. So, after a quick briefing useful to illustrate the development of the stages, things immediately begin to get serious, attacking the hairpin bends of the Col Agnel, still numb from the cold night and with the last curves leading to the summit kissed by a sun that does not leaves room for doubts: today will be a spectacular day.

Even though 5 crews withdrew at the last minute, the group is still consistent – especially for this type of event – and remains compact, bringing to the fore those who race very different cars compared to those you usually expect to find at an escape of over 250 km like this one: we are talking about Alfa Romeo Spider, Lancia Delta Integrale and Peugeot 205 Rallye, authentic protagonists of the entire day, which kept pace with sports cars with double, triple and even quadruple the horsepower. Fantastic. After the control stamp on the Agnel it is time to descend, thus entering into France – where almost all of today’s route takes place – taking advantage of the wider and faster western slope which guides us towards the lunar landscape of the Col d’ Izoard.

Once on top you can take advantage of the recently paved area to park the cars and enjoy an unobtainable view, provided you are not traveling to another planet. More snapshots, verification stamp and down to Briancon, then turning south and heading towards the Col de Vars, the fastest stage of the whole tour. At this point, after having received fragmentary and contradictory information from almost everyone, we decide to continue as planned for the Col de la Bonette, at least up to the top, hoping for the usual stop and photo next to the monolith located at over 2,800 meters, on the highest asphalt strip in Europe. We succeeded in our mission, because the landslide that hit near S. Etienne allowed the authorities to leave the Restefond side open. Thus we go up along a completely deserted Bonette – with the exception of a flock that invades the road – to go around “La Cime”, take another extraordinary memory hugging the most famous stone among lovers of driving at high altitude and throw ourselves once again on the most beautiful section of la Bonette, giving up the Colle della Lombarda in favor of the Col de Larche, an alternative route to return to Italy and head towards Demonte, location confirmed as the end of the event and lunch.

But before arriving at the Wolf Village there are still many twists and turns, once again with zero traffic and here I’ll let you imagine the fun factor. I find myself tossed around a Maserati MC20 with over 600 horsepower with the rear tires at the end of their life. The engine screams but at the exit of the slower hairpin bends the tires don’t find the grip necessary to transform power into speed. And this is not a bad thing at all. Observing this road so close to the ground is something magical, but doing it in the midst of a group of almost thirty sports cars is the usual indescribable sensation capable of giving life to a unique sense of satisfaction and that only an event like the Tour delle Alpi is able to offer.

The sheep have moved to the meadow at the side and are watching Porsche 911, Cayman and Boxster, Jaguar F-Type, MINI GP, Toyota GR Yaris, Lotus Elise, Maserati MC20 and GranTurismo MC Stradale, Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Lancia Delta Integrale, Peugeot 205 Rallye, Alfa Romeo Spider, BMW 330, Alfa Romeo 4C, Alpine A110, Audi RS3 and a Honda Civic Type-R which, lingering for a solitary fuel stop, demonstrated the significance of making up for lost time with a lunatic climb to the top. I was thinking about how to conclude the article, but I think these photos are the best way to underline how this event was the ultimate epilogue of a challenging but incredibly rewarding season of events. Thanks to all those who made it possible and please, get ready for the next adventures together.