Most of the elevation gain is saved for the long haul up the mighty Gotthard Pass, although the route starts out on an ascent as well. The riders climb the Albis Pass from the start, accounting for 5.1 kilometres at a 5.9% gradient. It is actually the same ascent that ended the 2nd stage.
The Tour de Suisse then continues on gently rolling terrain, first in a northerly direction and then to the south.
From Silenen onwards, with 36 kilometres remaining, the route goes virtually entirely uphill. The gradients kick up after Wassen when the route rises at 6.7% over the following 7.9 kilometres. In this section, the riders pass through the enchanting Schöllenen Gorge.
At the end of the climb, in Andermatt, the gradients even out for 3 kilometres, only to go up again for the last 10.1 kilometres. The final haul up the Gotthard Pass features an average gradient of 6.3%.
Five years ago, the Tour de Suisse last finished at the Gotthard Pass, and it was Egan Bernal who climbed to victory that day. It was a different approach, though, as the riders came from Biasca, on the other side of the mountain.
Starting at kilometre 159.2, the Golden Kilometre offers two opportunities to gain time bonuses of 3, 2, and 1 seconds. The first three riders at the finish line take 10, 6, and 4 seconds.
Ride the route yourself? Download GPX 4th stage 2024 Tour de Suisse.
Another interesting read: results 5th stage 2024 Tour de Suisse.
Tour de Suisse 2024 stage 4: route, profile, more
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