This is the story of the last record attempt of Giuliano Calore, a racing cyclist, world champion of extreme cycling, holder of 13 records, and won 98 medals. He was born in Padova (north-east Italy) in 1938. The movie is titled “48 Tornanti di Notte” (48 Hairpin Bends at Night) tells about his most impressive challenge so far: descending from the Stelvio Pass – at an altitude of 2758 m – at night, with all of its 48 hairpin turns, on a bike with no handlebars or brakes, illuminated only by a torch and moonlight.

48 Tornanti di Notte trailer

The trailer of the movie:

Trailer: “48 Tornanti di Notte” (48 Hairpin Bends at Night)

Some achievements and records of Giuliano Calore:

  • There was a fabulous ice-cream maker in Bologna. From the age of 14, he started riding from Padova to Bologna and back to buy their ice-creams. It was a 240 kilometers (150 miles) round trip.
  • 1981 – up and down the Stelvio, while playing four different musical instruments with a total weight of 33 kg.
  • 1983 – he runs 14 dolomites passes covering 330 km (205 mi) in 13 hours.
  • 1984 – he climbs Passo dello Stelvio’s 48 hairpin turns in 1 hour and 36 mins, only pedaling with the right leg.
  • 1985 – he descents the Stelvio in the record time of 27 mins and 1 sec
  • 1986 – among snow and ice, from the bottom to the top, he climbs the Stelvio in the record time of 2 hours and 20 mins
  • 1989 – he climbs the Stelvio in 1 hour and 17 mins, beating Bernard Hinault‘s best time.
  • 1990 – he overcomes snowy Dolomites passes: 321 km (199 mi), temperatures between -17°C and -20°C (this record was made on a bicycle with handlebars).
  • 1991 – he passes through 2520 doors with stakes at a distance of 54 cm.
  • 1998 – he descends the Stelvio passing through 228 doors 48 cm wide.
  • 2001 – he challenges an iced track with normal tubular tires, passing through 228 doors just 46 cm wide.

Giuliano Calore

Giuliano Calore, born in Padova (north-east Italy) in 1938, is a living legend of extreme cycling. Some of his extraordinary exploits are now to be found in the Guinness Book of World Records and led him to receive the coveted honor of King of Records in his field.

During the film shootings, Giuliano, who was 77 years old at the time, has decided to surprise us by achieving one last record: he wants to exploit the twists and turns of the legendary Monte Stelvio Pass, the scenic location of some of his previous astounding demonstrations of equilibrium, tenacity and inexhaustible strength, and also where some of the most famous moments in the history of cycling have taken place.

This is his most impressive challenge so far: descending from the Stelvio Pass – at an altitude of 2758 m – at night, with all of its 48 hairpin turns, on a bike with no handlebars or brakes, illuminated only by a torch and moonlight.

“48 Tornanti di Notte” tells the incredible story of this extraordinary character, with a boundless passion for cycling and a free, unconventional lifestyle.

A no-hands descent into our fears, ambitions, passions, and dreams.”

The movie 48 Tornanti di Notte is Supported by

  • Rigoni di Asiago – www.rigonidiasiago-usa.com/ (MAIN SPONSOR)
  • APG Cycling – www.apgcycling.com
  • LUPINE Lighting Systems – www.lupine.de
  • EFFETTO MARIPOSA: www.effettomariposa.eu/

Follow “48 Tornanti di Notte” on:

48 Tornanti di Notte movie info

  • Production: Stuffilm
  • Genre: Documentary, Sport, Cycling, Action, Extreme
  • Duration: 53′ English + German Subtitles
  • Film Festivals & Awards: :
  • Grand Jury Prize, Ciclismo Classico Bike Travel Film Festival, Arlington (USA)
  • Bicycle Film Festival 2017, New York (USA)
  • Bike Days – Bicycle Film Festival, Wroclaw (Poland)
  • Llanberis Adventure & Mountain Film Festival, Llanberis (Galles)
  • Piemonte Movie Glocal Film Festival
  • Turin (Italy), Filmmaker DAY, Turin (Italy)

Here is the video of Calore’s 1986 descent from the Passo dello Stelvio with no hands & no brakes.

Giuliano Calore descends from the Stelvio with no hands, 1986

Passo dello Stelvio

48 Tornanti di Notte - Passo dello Stelvio (Stelvio Pass)
Passo dello Stelvio (Stelvio Pass)

At an elevation of 2,757 m (9,045 ft) above sea level, Passo dello Stelvio (English: the Stelvio Pass) is the highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern Alps, and the second-highest in the Alps, just 13 m (43 ft) below France’s Col de l’Iseran (2,770 m /9,088 ft).

The Stelvio first featured in the Giro d’Italia in 1953, and Fausto Coppi was the first atop it (Coppi also won the stage and the 1953 Giro). It is also the highest point of Cima Coppi, the summit with the highest altitude reached by cyclists during the Giro d’Italia, which was established in 1965, five years after the death of the “Il Campionissimo” (champion of champions) Fausto Coppi.

Fausto Coppi climbing Passo dello Stelvio
Fausto Coppi climbing Passo dello Stelvio

Sources

M. Özgür Nevres

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