First impression of the first stage of the Etna Marathon Tour 2017: the time trail of 15km.
“The course is really challenging. When you finish the ride, it feels like you have ridden a Gran Fondo. It starts with a demanding uphill single track for about 2/3 km. Then comes a 3/4 km climb that leads to the highest point of the stage, a very insidious climb due to the volcanic sand. After the highest point of this first climb, there’s a very technical trail which is one of the crucial points of the stage. This single track leads to the beginning of the last climb of the stage and then you hit the final downhill single track. This is a long, technical downhill section that could cause many challenges on this first time trail stage.
For sure you will need to save some energy for the second stage, one of the toughest of this stage race, which will start a few hours later.”