A stage with an uphill finish. The maximum altitude of this edition of the Tirreno-Adriatico is reached at the GPM in Prati di Tivo at 1450m. Stage 4 offers a short but very intense route. The riders will climb up to the Forca di Arrone to enter the comune of Rieti. The route then passes through the town of Rieti to face the Sella di Corno before a long descent towards the city of L’Aquila. The riders will subsequently face the climb to Passo Capannelle, classified as a GPM Superior. The following 30km descent is characterized by several curves and two long, well-lit tunnels. The last 14km are entirely uphill towards the ski resort.
Last km
The final climb is 14.5km long with an average gradient of 7% and peaks of up to 12%. It has 22 hairpin bends and is steepest in its first half, hitting the hardest gradients where the riders pass through Pietracamela (location of the intermediate sprint). The last three kilometers average 7%. The finishing straight is around 200m long and 7m wide on asphalt.
Terni
Terni lies at the heart of the Umbro-Marchean Apennines. The town, now a provincial capital, boasts a glorious history as an industrial centre, for which it was nicknamed “the Manchester of Italy” and “the city of steel”. Even if the town suffered massive bombing in World War II, relics from the Iron Age, as well as Roman, Mediaeval and Baroque monuments have survived to the present day. Major landmarks include the Grande Pressa (a massive hydraulic press), the towering Lancia di Luce (an obelisk by Arnaldo Pomodoro), the basilica of San Valentino (a popular pilgrimage destination for lovers), the church of San Francesco and the church of San Salvatore, probably dating back to the 11th century. Nearby, the spectacular Marmore Falls – the tallest in Europe – are definitely worth a visit, and a favoured venue for rafting, canyoning, hydrospeeding, kayaking, river walking, or simply trail walking. Lake Piediluco and the charming Montagna dell’Eco are a real paradise for sailing, rowing and water skiing enthusiasts.
Prati di Tivo
Prati di Tivo is a major tourist spot lying northeast of the Gran Sasso massif, and a favoured destination for sports and nature enthusiasts all year round. In the wintertime, it is a busy ski area, with efficient lifting facilities taking ski enthusiasts from an altitude of 1,450 to 2,050 metres, at the ‘Madonnina’. The resort includes 20 km of slopes and a cross-country skiing track. In the summertime, Prati di Tivo offers a variety of opportunities for trekking, hiking and mountaineering in a stunning natural landscape, one of the most beautiful sceneries in the entire region. The rich and varied vegetation includes windflowers, gentians, orchids and primroses, as well as almond trees and beech forests. Prati di Tivo belongs to the municipal territory of Pietracamela, within the province of Teramo. Perched on the Corno Piccolo, the town has been listed as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy (‘Borghi più belli d’Italia’) since 2007.
TV COVERAGE
The international TV broadcasting schedule of the Tirreno-Adriatico Eolo is available here.
