A fast, scenic seaside stage, essentially flat and with no towns to cross; it’s a perfect stage for those looking to attempt a long breakaway. Large groups are expected to arrive at the finish line, as the ups and downs along the coast and inland, while adding some elevation gain, are too short to create significant gaps.
THE ROUTE: The start is in front of the hotel, racing for the first 17 km of the time trial. Then, the riders turn to cross Costa Rei (which in April is completely empty of tourists!), and then begin the southwest coastal road. At the panoramic viewpoint on Serpentara Island, there’s a refreshment point (km 38), followed by more sea views of Punta Molentis and Cavoli Island, until reaching the Villasimius bypass. Continuing, the steep climb encountered in the first stage (but this time it’s climbed in reverse), and then the route split (km 55). The GranGiro turns right and after a kilometer, it rejoins the route it already took, retracing the scenic coastal road a second time and returning to the refreshment point a second time (km 63). It then tackles the steep, steep climb once again, then turns towards Castiadas and tackles the fast, flat terrain that, in about twenty kilometers, brings cyclists back to the finish line, where large groups of cyclists are sure to arrive.
