The draining of the legs begins from the start on a series of non-classified climbs. A compelling fight for the breakaway is on the cards. It could easily last for an hour or more.
The base of the first KOM climb appears after roughly 50 kilometres. The Passo delle Crocelle is a 13.5 kilometres long ascent with an average gradient of 4.3%. The riders then fly downhill for more then 20 kilometres to reach the foot of the Muro Lucano, one of many non-classified climbs. This one adds 5.1 kilometres at 5.5% to the mix.
As said, no KOM points at the top, and not even a downhill, as the route continues to climb a little later on the Valico Monte Carruozzo. This is the second official intermediate climb of the day – 8.8 kilometres long and averaging 4.9%.
The descent leads onto a false flat of tens of kilometres, after which a triptych – short drop, even shorter hill (1 kilometre at 5.2%), and another short drop – should get the riders started for the Colle Molella.
The climb adds up to 9.6 kilometres and it slopes at 6.2%, but if you realise that the first 5.5 kilometres go up at around 4%, you know there is a catch. The subsequent 2.7 kilometres rise at 9.4% – auch! – before the last section levels off to almost 6%.
With the Colle Molella out of the way there are 3 kilometres remaining. The first 750 metres are on descent, the rest is flat.
It will be the fourth time that the Tour of Italy will finish in Lago Laceno. The last time was in 2012, when Domenico Pozzovivo soloed to victory. Beñat Intxausti and Joaquim Rodríguez finished in second and third, almost half a minute later.
The second intermediate sprint comes with time bonuses of 3, 2 and 1 seconds, while 10, 6 and 4 seconds are awarded to the first three riders on the line.
Ride the route yourself? Download GPX stage 4 2023 Giro d’Italia.
The race is expected to finish around 17:15 loca time (CEST). Check for details ‘scheduled times’ in underneath slideshow.
Other interesting reads:
– live race report
– today’s favourites
– GC after stage 3
– points classification
– KOM classification
– entire route
– start list
– GC favourites
– records & winners
– 2022 Giro d’Italia
– cycling calendar 2023
Giro d’Italia 2023 stage 4: route, profile, more
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