The Palio del Recioto has always been the pearl of Valpolicella: a race capable of attracting people on two wheels from all over the world can only be staged on one of the most fascinating stages, set in the Lessinia hills a few kilometres from Verona and the shores of Lake Garda. The 2021 edition of the Palio del Recioto - Trofeo C&F Resinatura Blocchi will be run on a track that combines some historical passages of this great classic for Under 23 with the incessant research of new roads carried out with great passion by the men of Valpolicella B.E.S.T. The first part of the race will take place on the circuit of 18,4 km to be repeated 6 times that, starting from the heart of Negrar, goes down towards Santa Maria.

After passing through Pedemonte and San Floriano, the road begins to climb gently towards Valgatara, from where the Colle Masua climb begins. This is a difficulty that saw the very first editions of the Palio del Recioto pass by, and has been rediscovered in the last decade: about 2.5 km of uphill road with a constant gradient that varies between 4 and 5%. Just enough to put the group in a long single file on the little road that climbs among the vineyards and historic olive trees of Valpolicella.
 
At the summit of Colle Masua a fast dive awaits the riders, taking them back to Negrar. Here they make a sharp turn to the left to tackle the first ramps of the Jago climb. A 3km climb that has some stretches of over 15% alternating with others that are much easier to pedal, preventing the riders from finding a constant rhythm to climb towards the sky, forcing them to continually re-launch and inspiring attacks from the more courageous riders.

Immediately after passing the GPM at the Recchia Winery, which has always been the ideal place for fans to meet up, offering not only pleasant refreshments but also an excellent view of much of the climb, the riders reach the Curva del Ferar, where the fast descent begins, leading the group back towards Negrar. After these first six initial laps, with the odometer having already covered just under 110 kilometres, it will remain to tackle the 39 kilometre straight stretch.

Once back in Negrar, the race will continue along the provincial road to re-enter the town in the opposite direction and, from the Via dei Ciliegi ramp, climb the Jago climb. At the Curva del Ferar (Ferar Bend), the route continues to climb towards Torbe, where it turns left to take the Via Tezol wall. A tongue of concrete of just over 500 metres that allows you to climb the crest and take the false floor that leads to Marano di Valpolicella and from here descend to Valgatara, passing through San Floriano, Pedemonte and Santa Maria to return to the municipality of Negrar, passing again under the arrival gate, for the first time heading north.

From here the last climb of the day will begin, leading the group of the best riders to Mazzano; having reached the heart of the town, the route turns sharply to the right on the municipal road that climbs among the impervious peaks of Valpolicella, characterized by small towns such as Saline, until it reaches Fiamene.

From here the route turns to descend into the heart of Fane and then up towards Prun, where the triumphant march of the day's leaders can finally begin, separated from the finish line only by a long descent that once again passes through the Curva del Ferar before arriving in the heart of Negrar. If the positions are not yet well defined, all that remains is to sprint for success in the central Via Giuseppe Mazzini between the two wings of the crowd that always celebrate the big ones who have had the honour of inscribing their name in the golden register of the Palio del Recioto.