The stage is long and challenging, but it’s beautiful and immersed entirely in the splendid masterpieces that nature has created on the island: the race is over 100 km long and does not pass through any towns!! The start is between the sea and the Colostrai pond, then continues along the coastal road of Villasimius and finally cycles through the Riu Cannas gorges: everything is truly beautiful! It has always been one of the decisive stages of the GiroSardegna, and it certainly will be in 2026 too!
THE ROUTE: The first section of the route is the now well-known SP20, and after the Carceri Vecchie di Castiadas, there’s the route split (km 24). The GranGiro enters the expressway for a short, fast ride that brings the group back to the Olia Speciosa junction, where it rejoins the route it took, returning a second time to the Carceri Vecchie di Castiadas. This time, however, it continues straight ahead, tackling the first short, sharp, challenging climb. Then, after skirting the town of Villasimius, it enters the continuous ups and downs of the splendid coastal road. At the Capo Boi pass, there’s a refreshment point (km 58), then, at the end of the coastal road, there’s about ten kilometers of four-lane road (with a well-lit 900-meter tunnel). Then comes the climb to the water point (km 101) of the 430-meter Arcu ‘e Tidu Pass (a climb with single-digit gradients!), followed by the fast and beautiful descent through the Riu Cannas Gorges, and finally the finish line.
