After the prologue, the bikers will tackle a 70,7 km stage with a 2,158-meter difference in altitude
Desulo (Italy), August 12th, 2024 – After the prologue in Aritzo on August 28th, the first stage of the Rally di Sardegna MTB – on August 29th – will start and finish in the heart of Desulo town, after 70,7 km with a 2,158-meter difference in altitude.
The biker will race through thousand-year-old woods, a green carpet extended between Desulo and Tonara plowed by dirty tracks (the first after 4 km) and short sections on concrete and asphalt. Descents and climbs alternate, the most demanding uphill features an average gradient of 8% and a 3-km length. After reaching the suggestive Tascusì Pass (the second highest car pass in Sardinia) and a short passage on the provincial road, the route climbs towards the majestic Gennargentu peaks.
The dirt roads comes back under the wheels on the way to Punta Paulinu, standing at around 1700 meters above sea level. This is the summit of the day from which the long descent towards Girgini begins. Difficulties are always around the corner: a 5-km further uphill is waiting for the Rally di Sardegna bikers, then a wide descent and a final steep climb leading the riders back to the start, in the town of Desulo.
The route designed for the first day of the Sardinia MTB Rally offers a huge variety of both landscapes and terrains. This means that the competition becomes not only a physical challenge but also a visual and immersive experience in the extraordinary nature of Sardinia.
The town of Desulo is deeply linked to its wonderful mountain, jealously protectd and preserved by the local people. Its inhabitants have always developed a symbiotic relationship with this environment. The mountain provided them with essential resources such as timber, chestnuts and mushrooms, as well as pastures for their livestock. Even today, agricultural and pastoral traditions remain alive and are a distinctive element of local culture.
Promoted by the Autonomous Region of Sardinia – Department of Tourism, Crafts and Commerce, Rally di Sardegna MTB is organized by Wild Track, under the aegis of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and by the Italian Cycling Federation (FCI) and the support and the patronage of the Municipalities of Aritzo, Desulo and Seulo. The event is also supported by Scott, Deriu Sport, Enervit, Playcar, USE and the media partner Corriere dello Sport.