The opening phase is designed to manufacture a strong breakaway – or so it seems. The riders crest two modest climbs at kilometre 17 and at kilometre 26, both are perfect launch pads for a long day ahead of the troops. For the rest the first 130 kilometres are nothing special. Gradually the route is rising until the base of the Forca di Gualdo is reached.
The Forca di Gualdo is a 10.4 kilometres ascent with an average gradient of 7.4%. The summit lies just above a plateau, so initially the descent is negligible. Following an undulating section of 10 kilometres the 3.5 kilometres climb to Rifugio Perugia appears. Atop of the peak – at 1,521 metres – the downhill finally opens itself.
A 20 kilometres descent leads into Norcia, starting place of stage 5, before the last obstacle of the day climbs in 7 kilometres at 6.2% to Ospedaletto. The finale is a 10 kilometres downhill followed by a 1 kilometre false flat to the line.
The first three riders on the line gain time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while the (uphill) intermediate sprint – just after the Forca di Gualdo – comes with 3, 2 and 1 seconds.
Another interesting read: results 4th stage 2020 Tirreno-Adriatico.
Tirreno-Adriatico 2020 stage 4: routes, profiles, more
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