Giro 2024:- Stage 4: Acqui Terme – Andora, 190.0km ***Spoilers***
Stage 4: Acqui Terme – Andora, 190.0km
May 7th.
Start Time: 11-35BST.
The 4th stage of the Giro d'Italia is a 187 kilometres long race Acqui Terme to Andora, on the Italian Riviera. The finishing venue lies at the foot of the Capo Mele. The first part of the route takes the riders on gentle rolling roads to Calizzano, nestled at the foot of the Colle del Melogno. Peaking at 947 metres above sea level, the Melogno is 6.8 kilometres long and slopes at 5%. With just under 60 kilometers to go, the Giro reaches the Mediterranean coast in Savona. Finally the riders tackle the famous Capo Mele, then it's a 2.5km downhill to the finish.
map
final kilometres
Acqui Terme
Acqui Terme is a fascinating spa town already renowned in Roman times for its steaming waters. It is surrounded by vineyards and landscapes recognised in 2014 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their breathtaking beauty. Located in the province of Alessandria, a borderland between Piedmont and Liguria in the Alto Monferrato area, this town is rich in environmental, landscape, artistic and eno-gastronomic attractions, not far from the large cities of Genoa, Milan and Turin. The imposing remains of the Roman aqueduct bear witness to the importance that water has always had for this town, which offers its visitors an enviable combination of art, culture, history, gastronomic excellence, charm and Italian hospitality that make it a unique and captivating destination.
Local Cusine
The gastronomy, though characterised by simplicity, is very rich, consisting of dishes based on local seasonal ingredients. Most dishes have poor origins derived from the modest economic conditions of the area during past centuries, and despite having been enriched over time, they have never lost their primary ingredient: authenticity.
Typical of the local cuisine are a rich selection of starters, including the “filetto baciato” salami, an absolute delight, cacciatorini, lard, peppers with bagna cauda and a variety of savoury pies. Among the first courses, tajarin with mushrooms or game sauces, agnolotti al plin, polenta, cisrò – farinata – deserve a special mention, and among the second courses, the local meats, mixed boiled meat, rabbit, braised meat, tripe, but also stockfish, finanziera, Piedmontese fritto misto and bagna cauda, the convivial dish par excellence, all represent unforgettable dining experiences. Hence the birth of a renowned speciality such as Stoccafisso all’acquese, an iconic recipe handed down from generation to generation and present on several menus in Acqui’s restaurants.
Other local specialities include amaretti biscuits, baci di dama (lady’s kisses), brut e bon, Acquesi al Rhum and Canelin’s award-winning turrón, recognised together with the local artisanal ice cream as one of Italy’s best products!
The highly appreciated truffle, one of the top products of the region, grows underground throughout the local area, in harmony with oak, willow, linden and poplar trees.
Porcini mushrooms, delicious and abundant in our valleys, are much sought after by gourmets in the autumn months.
Roccaverano DOP – (literally “Protected Designation of Origin”) – A product that symbolises the hard work behind mountain sheep/goat farming. This goat’s cheese – a blend of the fragrances, flowers and herbs of the area, produced fresh or matured – appears to this day to be the only one capable of equalling if not surpassing the legendary French cheeses.
Filetto baciato – a renowned product of Aquitaine gastronomy, the filetto baciato is a unique kind of cured meat, invented by the Malò (Ponzone) family at the beginning of the last century and obtained by stuffing salami paste around the pork fillet.
Andora
Andora is a seaside resort with lovely beaches of very fine sand (a rarity in Liguria), a hinterland made of olive groves and footpaths, and a vibrant marina.
Local Cusine
If you love the pleasures of gastronomy, don’t miss the fish market in the harbour or a visit to the agricultural producers of the plain, who are the source of many excellent food and wine products that can be tasted in renowned restaurants.
Andora is the second most important plain for the production of Genovese D.O.P. basil, whose intense aroma fills the air at peak harvest time. Extra virgin olive oil is produced in the nearby hinterland.
Comments
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The speed they are going to be going leading into the final km is going to be insane. Not sure it's the best idea.
This is what they are coming down, at 1km to the finish, full peloton with the sprinters all going for it. https://www.google.com/maps/@43.9527275,8.1574474,3a,75y,81.64h,80.56t/data=!3m9!1e1!3m7!1sPXoBTNbuyQemZJ99KCMQ8g!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!9m2!1b1!2i22?entry=ttu
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Yep, and that little pimple really isn't likely to shed many riders even at full pelt (Pog will probably try to use it as a launchpad though)
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Do we know why Simon Carr failed to finish yesterday?
Edit: Knee injury.
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Picked up at the Tour of the Alps and it hasn’t recovered, according to Hatch.
They are off and it looks like there will be a breakaway of sorts.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Ganna going in the break?
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
If they don't close that down, it's going to be hard work from a lot further out for the sprint teams.
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They must all be thoroughly annoyed they haven't been able to stop for a pee yet. Would have thought it was going to be a straightforward easy start and here they are lined out at the front of the peloton.
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Hello Stefan in the break
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He's sat up. They can all relax.
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Very typical GT stage energy compared to the first 3 days
"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm1 -
Jonas aiming for the tour ...vuelta seems more credible by his tone ..
"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
53 days until the Tour starts and a month since he crashed and his first ride outside was this week. I think it's hard to see him being competitive at the Tour, do Visma send him to work for someone else or do they get him to focus on the Vuelta instead?
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A few sprinters out the back after Visma raised the pace. Jakobsen looking sick.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Not a good day out for Birmay.
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Binny on the deck twice
"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
There's going to be a few more spills going through this town into the sprint. Pretty ridiculous spot to have it.
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Be surprised if he finishes, he didn't look keen to get back on after the first one (can't say I blame him).
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Predictably he has now abandoned.
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Peloton splits
"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
Binny packs
"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
GC riders caught out
"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
Parked cars all over the course, you don't normally get that do you?
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Any bets on Pog having a little pop?
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Massive Attack by Ganna
Warning No formatter is installed for the format0 -
Ineos look good
"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
Ganna clips off
"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
Boring old Ineos
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Race in a gallery
"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
Don't think he's going to do it.
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Caught with 500m to go.
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