Although, in theory, technically easier, Stage 4 will offer a breathtaking scenery and an exciting spectacle to cycling fans with many twists and turns until the finish line.
The fourth Stage of the ΔΕΗ Cycling Tour of Hellas starts from the city of Karditsa. The riders will follow the southwestern direction, towards the village of Mitropoli, which marks the entrance to the mountainous zone, barely 15 kms far from Karditsa.
The ascent starts from Moschato, a village built at 450 m. altitude, the last frontier of the wider Lake Plastira region and move in a more or less flat area having the lake on their right, up until Agios Athanasios. In Kastania, an uphill will be the setting in one of the most spectacular climbing sprints of the Tour.
As far as technical requirements are concerned it appears the stage is the easiest of the Tour, although riders will climb up to 900 m., where lies the artificial Lake Plastira, one of the top destinations for cycling getaways in Greece.
Next the peloton will descent to the vast Thessalian plain, passing outside the city of Karditsa. They will cross Gorgovites and Palamas and will change course outside the town of Farkadona at an altitude of 60 metres. A right turn will take them to the road towards the city of Larissa.
From there they reach a higher ground where a climbing sprint will take place on the side of Prophitis Elias.
Afterwards, the peloton will pass through Tyrnavos the third largest municipality of the Prefecture of Larissa, where a challenging straight sprint awaits them, in front of a large crowd placed in a designated area. Only 16 kms now separate the breakaway group from the city of Larissa.
Via Giannouli, they will enter Larissa where they will cross the finish line once in a pan-flat finish sprint, next to the fan zone with big crowds expected to flock to witness the moment!
A final sector will see them move across the city at high speed, and then take the ring road which leads to the finish line in front of the statue of Hippocrates in the Alcazar Park.
Saturday 30 April / Stage 4: Karditsa - Lake Plastira - Larissa - 174 kms
Route: Karditsa, Moschato, Lake Plastira, Agios Athanasios, Kastania (intermediate sprint - climbing), Gorgovites, Palamas (intermediate sprint - straight), Farkadona, Profitis Elias (intermediate sprint - climbing), Tyrnavos (intermediate sprint - straight), Alcazar.
