#TotA Day 4: Osttirol to stage uphill finish and the first verdicts

Good morning from Tour of the Alps! Today, Thursday, April 21st, the Euro-regional stage race menu offers the fourth stage and the uphill finish of this 2022 edition. The 142,4 km route goes from Niederdorf/Villabassa in Südtirol/Alto Adige and reaches Kals Am Groosglockner, on the lowest slopes of Austria’s highest mountain, in the Eastern area of Tirol, known as Osttirol.

The final climb doesn’t feature impossible gradients, but could still inspire the attacks of the most daring climbers, starting with Frenchman Romain Bardet (Team DSM), Colombian Esteban Chaves (Education-EasyPost) and the INEOS-Grenadiers combo of Richie Porte and Pavel Sivakov (INEOS-Grenadiers), who are among the contenders of the Melinda leader’s jersey, now on the shoulders of Pello Bilbao (Bahrain-Victorious). Eyes also on Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana Qazaqastan), who could be on the hunt for a stage win after dropping out of the top positions in the GC.

Beware of possible surprises coming from Tirol itself: Osttirol-native Felix Gall (Ag2r Citroen) will be a hotly tipped name by the local fans, after his strong showing early in the race that brought him as high as fourth in the GC.

THE JERSEYS IN THE RACE

Green Jersey Melinda - General Classification: Pello Bilbao (Bahrain Victorious)

Blue Jersey Cassa Centrale Banca - KOM Classification: Pavel Sivakov (Ineos Grenadiers)

White Jersey Würth Modyf - Young Riders Classification: Thymen Arensman (Team DSM)

Red Jersey PMG Sport - Intermediate Sprints Classification: Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana Qazaqatan Team)

DISPOSITION

Meeting Place: 9:45, Niederdorf/Villabassa, Von Kurz Platz
Start: 11:45, Niederdorf/Villabassa, Frau Emma Strasse
Finish: 15:15, Kals am Grossglockner, L.26 Kaiser Landstrasse
Intermediate Sprint: Lienz Zettersfeldbahn (km 107,7)
KOM: Kartitscher Sattel (2a cat., mt 1524 / Km 30,5); Gailberg Sattel (3a cat., mt 981 / Km 80,2)

THE STARTING CITY: NIEDERDORF/VILLABASSA. The Dolomites and their 3 Zinnen/Tre Cime di Lavaredo shine in Pustertal/Val Pusteria, and are the favorite destination of many mountain climbers since the second half of 19th century. The Südtirol Dolomiti Superbike, one of the most important Marathon Mountain Bike races in Italy and beyond, has been held in Villabassa/Niederdorf every year since 1995.

ON THE ROAD: The Lesachtal Valley extends itself over 20 kilometres along the Carnic Alps, parallel to the Italian border. Today it is still home to numerous fortifications from the First World War, when it was the front line between Austria-Hungary and Italy. Hikers can enjoy the landscape on the Carnic High Trail, a long-distance walking route – also known as the Peace Trail – measuring 168 kilometres from start to finish.

THE STAGE TASTE: Due to its landscape and climate, Osttirol is perfect for potato growing. Thanks to the well-ventilated, almost sandy soil and the alternatingly warm summers and cold winters, the savory taste of nature accumulates in the tuber, while preventing the proliferation of potato pests. The "Oskar" variety is very aromatic, and provides dishes with a very special touch.

DON'T MISS: The Hohe Tauern National Park is Austria's largest nature reserve. Covering 1,800 km², it is home to more than 10,000 alpine animals and around 1,800 alpine plants. Included in the animals who call the national park their home are all of the Big Five of the Alps: ibex, chamois, marmot, golden eagle and bearded vulture. The nature reserve extends into three of Austria’s provinces: Salzburg, Carinthia and Tirol.

THE FINISH: KALS AM GROSSGLOCKNER. In the heart of Hohe Tauern National Park, Kals am Grossglockner enjoys a wonderful location at the foot of the 3,798-metre-high Grossglockner peak (the highest in Austria) and it’s surrounded by many more 3,000-metre-high mountains. That makes it such a popular base for rock climbers and mountaineers.

TRAFFIC CLOSURES

For this stage the authorities of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano have issued an order suspending traffic in both directions on all roads involved in the race at least 45 minutes before the start vehicle passes through and until the passage of the broomwagon.

For stage 4, the authorities of the Land Tyrol have issued an order suspending traffic in both directions from 12 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 21, on the race route. For stage 5, scheduled for Friday, 22 April, the road closure regulations vary in time depending on the roads involved in the race route (click here for details).

TV DISTRIBUTION

Every day, 90 minutes of Live broadcast will characterize 2022 Tour of the Alps, from 2.00 pm CET to 3.30 pm CET, thanks to the broadcast of PMG Sport.

TV: Eurosport 1 (Europe, Eastern Europe, East Asia, USA, Canada, South America, Central America, the Pacific Area and the Indian Subcontinent), RaiSport (Italy, San Marino, Vatican City), Equipe TV (France), TV2 (Denmark). Austrian ORF will provide coverage of the event every evening in its news programmes.

LIVE STREAMING: Eurosport Player, GCN – Global Cycling Network, Repubblica.it, Tuttobiciweb.it, Federciclismo.it, PMG Sport.

SIDE EVENTS: 

Niederdorf/Villabassa (start)

• DEBRA Moment with DEBRA Südtirol Alto Adige’s President Anna Faccin

Kals am Grossglockner (finish)

• Exhibition of the local band: Großglockner Musikkapelle

WEATHER FORECAST: Temperatures are lowering down to 3-4°C, with haze expected at the start in Niederdorf/Villabassa. At the finish in Kals, the riders will find 5/6° C, with light showers not to be ruled out on the way.