The route climbs false flat from the start and gets slightly steeper after 12 kilometres. But still, the 17.4 kilometres climb at 2.9% to Aín is everything but a leg-breaker.
Right after the descent the route continues onto the Collado de Ayódar, a 4.8 kilometres climb at 4.3%. A slighlty shorter descent leads to the base of a long and irregular ascent. It totals 13.1 kilometres and the average gradient sits at 3.7%. The first 5 kilometres go up at 6% before the next 5 kilometres are as good as flat. Shortly after moving through the village Torralba del Minar the gradients kick up again to approximately 7%.
A long descent takes the riders to the foot of what will be the finish climb in 70 kilometres time. The Alto de Montmayor is 9.6 kilometres and averages 4.8%. Some 2 kilometres before the summit the riders pass the Cueva Santa Monastery, which will be the finish line later on.
After cresting the Alto de Montmayor the route continues with a short downhill, a rolling section and a 6 kilometres climb to the highest point of the day, which is situated at almost 1,000 metres above sea level. At this point there are still 50 kilometres to go.
A huge descent – with some intermediate climbs to pep things up – leads back to the base of the finish climb. As the finish is situated near the Cueva Santa Monastery – or, El Santuario de la Cueva Santa -, the ascent is 7.4 kilometres long and the average gradient sits at 4.7%.
The first three riders on the line gain time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while the intermediate sprint (MV in underneath profile) comes with 3, 2 and 1 seconds.
Ride the route yourself? Download GPX stage 4 Tour of Valencia 2023.
Another interesting read: results 4th stage 2023 Tour of Valencia.
Tour of Valencia 2023 stage 4: routes, profiles, more
Click on the images to zoom
