What Stage 4 of the 2017 Tour of Austria lacks in length, it makes up for in altitude.
Stage 4 of this year's Tour of Austria will depart from Austria's fourth-largest city, and the home of Mozart, Salzburg.
The route only measures 82 kilometers in length, but do not let this fool you, as the final climb up the Kitzbuheler horn will undoubtedly separate the peloton and push riders to their limits.
After the peloton departs from Salzburg, they will slowly ascend before reaching the first climb of the day at the 18 km mark. The climb up the Steinpass 18 kilometers into the race is rated as a category 3 climb, and will take riders up a 4% average gradient for 6 kilometers before topping out at 622 meters above sea level. 12 kilometers after summiting at Steinpass, riders will reach the first intermediate sprint of the stage in Lofer. 12 kilometers from the finish is the second and final intermediate sprint of the day in the town of Kitzbuhel. Almost immediately after they pass the intermediate sprint in Kitzbuhel, rider will begin the grind up the Kitzbuheler Horn. Rider must cover the final 12 kilometers while climbing 900 meters up to an altitude of 1670 meters above sea level.
The peloton will likely be able to stay compact throughout the stage, before the Kitzbuheler Horn begins to tear the pack apart.
Stage 3 is not necessarily a stage only for the pure climbers, but rather, is one in which the general classification contenders must conserve for the first 71 kilometers before attacking the final 12 kilometer climb.
Sep Vanmarcke (Cannondale-Drapac) currently sits in the overall lead through Stage 3, and must brings his best, as well as have the support of his team, on Stage 4 to retain the yellow jersey. Vanmarcke has shown his consistency throughout the Tour of Austria to this point, but he must be able to stay small on the difficult Stage 4.
Stephan Rabitsch (Felbermayr-Simplon-WELS) has had a consistent start to this year's Tour of Austria, and currently holds the leaders jersey in the mountains classification, as well as the title of best Austrian rider. Rabitsch is a proven all-rounder, and should feel comfortable in his abilities to prevail on the final climb up the Kitzbuheler Horn. The Austrian rider is sitting only 14 seconds behind Vanmarcke, in 3rd place, which could easily be erased in Rabitsch is able to put in a strong final climb on Stage 4.
Folix Grossschartner (CCC Sprandi Polkowice) has been battling with Rabitsch for the best Austrian rider title throughout the Tour, and will be hoping to overtake Rabitsch on Stage 4. Grossschartner has not had a major stage result at this year's Tour of Austria, but the Austrian rider has been patient and consistent throughout the race. Grossschartner may be eyeing Stage 4 as his moment to move up from his current 6th place standing in the general classification, and could have the support of his CCC Sprandi Polkowice teammates on Stage 4 to assist him in making the pace throughout the stage.
Andrea Vendrame (Androni Giacattoli-Sidermec), Daniel Teklehaimanot (Dimension Data), Stefan Denifl (Aqua Blue Sport), and Sven Erik Bystrom (Katusha-Alpecin) will be other riders to watch throughout Stage 4.
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