In May 2004, while training in Italian Alps, Lance Armstrong said that it was the hardest climb he had ever ridden.

The Mortirolo Pass featured several times in the Giro d'Italia, usually as the last or penultimate climb before the finish.

The first time was in Stage 15 of the 1990 Giro d'Italia, between Morbegno and Aprica, starting from Edolo.

Due to the steepness of the descent and the crashes that were occurring, the organisers decided to climb this mountain starting from Mazzo in subsequent years.

A monument to Marco Pantani was erected in 2006 by the Italian Professional Riders Association at the eighth kilometre of the road from Mazzo di Valtellina.