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map
technical info
The route
The route is wavy, curved and undulating. With the exception of a few kilometres after the start, the stage is played out on the ss. 13, which runs along the northern coast of Sicily. A short, manageable climb up to Tindari after 30 km will be the only topographical impediment, along with a short, steep ascent to Termini Imerese, where sprint points will be up for grabs. A fast final stretch will lead to a bunch sprint.
Final kilometres
With 3 km to go, the route leaves the ss 113 and enters urban Bagheria. With 2,400 m to go, the route takes a left-hand turn followed by a right-hander, leading to a wide bend of nearly 1 km on a broad road. There is one last bend leading into the large home straight (350 m), on tarmac. The final kilometres are on a slight incline (average gradient, 1.5%).
start / finish
final kilometres
itinerary timetable
tourist info
Host city:
Milazzo
Touristic information
Sitting on a strip of land that emerges from the Tyrrhenian Sea, with the old town rising on a hill behind the port, Milazzo dominates the channel between Sicily and the Aeolian Islands. It is one of the rare sites in the Mediterranean area where human presence dates back to 6,000 years ago, which has left a significant artistic legacy of previous civilisations: necropoles from the Bronze Age and the Greek and Hellenistic‑Roman periods; the sturdy reinforced walls surrounding the castle, which had been built around an earlier Arab‑Norman centre; the 17‑century cathedral; churches and monasteries dating to the 18th century; noble mansions and quaint houses overlooking the old alleys, and beautiful staircases descending towards the sea.
Nowadays, Milazzo is the major port for ferryboats departing for the Aeolian Islands. Tourist facilities include state‑of‑the‑art hotels, restaurants, traditional eateries and well-equipped beach resorts. With its rich historical heritage, and a program packed with cultural events all summer long, in the stunning scenery of the Teatro al Castello, the town is a perfect destination for nature and art enthusiasts.
Owing to its efficient land and sea infrastructures, Milazzo also serves as an ideal starting point for traveling to the Ionian and Tyrrhenian coasts of Sicily, from Siracusa to Palermo, from Cefalù to the Etna.
Ph. Credits Paolo Barone
Gastronomy
Viticulture is a thriving industry, which generate significant yields in terms of table grapes and prized wines, such as the Mamertino di Milazzo bianco Doc.
Local cuisine offers plenty of tasty specialties, and especially fish recipes, such as fish soups or squid ink pasta, and char-grilled or pan-seared fish. One of the hallmarks of local cuisine is pesce stocco alla messinese, or ‘alla ghiotta bianca’, made with stockfish (dried cod), white olives, capers, parsley and garlic. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, treat your taste buds to some crunchy piparelli (almond and honey biscuits).
Ph. Credits Paolo Barone
Bagheria
Touristic information
A populous city in the province of Palermo, and hometown to the neorealist painter Renato Guttuso, Bagheria is famed for its beautiful historic villas and 18-century manor houses.
Ph. Credits Filippo Maria Tripoli
Gastronomy
The sfincione di Bagheria is the hallmark of local cuisine. This chunky and soft focaccia, unlike the one that is made in Palermo, is tomato-free. The recipe calls for a thick layer of tasty “tuma” (traditional local cheese), anchovies, ricotta, fried white onions, and toasted breadcrumbs with caciocavallo cheese. Despite traditionally being a Christmastime recipe, sfincione can actually be found all year round.
Ph. Credits Filippo Maria Tripoli
