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Contest #6 - Balkans Tour [Cat. 2]

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Contest #6 - Balkans Tour [Cat. 2]

Post by emmea90 »

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Contest #6 - Balkans Tour [Cat. 2]

The pre-Tour de France Contests will consist in adding a 10-days race in Balkans used, like Dauphiné, as a preparation for the Grand Boucle.

You have to use at least 5 countries (placing a start and/or a finish) between
  • Slovenia
  • Bosnia
  • Croatia
  • Serbia
  • Montenegro
  • Kosovo
  • Albania
  • North Macedonia
  • Greece
The race shall be done from North to South or the other way around (so from Slovenia/Croatia to Greece or from Greece to Slovenia/Croatia)

We won't make constraint on the type of stages, but we expect a race designed for Grand Tour contenders like Dauphiné/Tour de Suisse are.

Deadline will be on Saturday, August 8, 23.59
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Re: Contest #6 - Balkans Tour [Cat. 2]

Post by mauro »

Qualche mese fa avevo progettato una versione estesa dell’Adriatica Ionica Race, basandomi sul progetto di Argentin che vorrebbe estenderla all’intera penisola balcanica (passando anche per l’Austria). Il tracciato, però, non l’avevo mai reso pubblico. Lo faccio ora, considerato che calza con la proposta del contest. Le uniche nazioni escluse dal tracciato sono Serbia e Kosovo.

A few months ago I had designed an extended version of the Adriatic Ionian Race, based on the Argentin project that would like to extend it to the entire Balkan peninsula (also passing through Austria). The track, however, I had never made public. I do it now, considering that it fits with the contest proposal. The only countries excluded from the track are Serbia and Kosovo.

maps/tours/view/13975

1a tappa: Gorizia (ITT – 9.3 Km)

Si inizia con una ITT transfontraliera, disegnata parte in Italia e parte in Slovenia. Partenza e arrivo sono in Italia, ma la maggior parte del tracciato (6 Km su 9.3 Km) si svolge in territorio sloveno. Non si tratta del solito cronoprologo, anche per la presenza di due tratti di salita. La prima ascesa (Kostanjevica) fu affrontata nel 2001 nel circuito finale di una tappa del Giro d’Italia, mentre quella conclusiva verso il Castello di Gorizia presenta il fondo stradale in cubetti di porfido.

It starts with a cross-border ITT, designed partly in Italy and partly in Slovenia. Departure and arrival are in Italy, but most of the track (6 km out of 9.3 km) takes place in Slovenian territory. This is not the usual prologue, also due to the presence of two sections of ascent. The first ascent (Kostanjevica) was tackled in 2001 in the final circuit of a stage of the Giro d'Italia, while the final ascent towards the Gorizia Castle presents the road surface in porphyry cubes.

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2a tappa: Udine – Villach (168 Km)

Dall’Italia ci si sposta in Austria attraverso il valico doganale di Tarvisio per la prima di tre tappe dedicate ai velocisti. Delle tre questa è la più impegnativa, ma la salita di Mittewald è collocata a venti chilometri dal traguardo e c’è tutto il tempo per rientrare su eventuali “finisseur” o sui fuggitivi di giornata. La salita fu affrontata anche nel circuito dei campionati del mondo del 1987, del quale in questa tappa viene percorso solo il tratto iniziale, mentre il resto del tracciato è totalmente diverso

From Italy we move to Austria through the Tarvisio customs crossing for the first of three stages dedicated to sprinters. Of the three, this is the most demanding, but the Mittewald climb is located twenty kilometers from the finish and there is plenty of time to return to any "finisseur" or fugitives of the day. The climb was also tackled on the 1987 world championship circuit, of which only the initial section is covered in this stage, while the rest of the track is totally different.

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3a tappa: Klagenfurt – Postojna (183 Km)

Si arriva nelle celebre località turistica delle Grotte di Postumia con una tappa di media montagna che propone a 25 Km dal via l’ascesa ai quasi 1100 metri del Loiblpass, porta d’accesso alla Slovenia dall’Austria e ideale trampolino di lancio per una fuga. Chi punta alla classifica dovrà stare attento che il vantaggio dei fuggitivi non diventi incolmabile e poi cercare di scremare il gruppo sulla salita della Razdrto Sella (Sella di Resderta) nel tentativo di far perdere le ruote a qualche corridore. La cima dell’ultima salita si trova ad una quindicina di chilometri dal traguardo, dove la tappa potrebbe concludersi con una volata a ranghi ridotti.

You arrive in the famous tourist resort of the Postojna Caves with a mid-mountain stage that offers the ascent to almost 1100 meters of the Loiblpass at 25 km from the start, the gateway to Slovenia from Austria and an ideal springboard for an escape. Those aiming for the ranking must be careful that the advantage of the fugitives does not become unbridgeable and then try to skim the group on the ascent of the Razdrto Sella (Sella di Resderta) in an attempt to make some runners lose their wheels. The top of the last climb is about fifteen kilometers from the finish, where the stage could end with a sprint in reduced ranks.

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4a tappa: Rijeka – Plitvicka Jezera (181 Km)

Interamente sulle strade della Croazia si svolge la quarta tappa, che dalla città di Rijeka (in Italia più nota con il nome di Fiume) conduce nel cuore dello spettacolare Parco nazionale dei laghi di Plitvice. Il percorso è di media montagna e prevede la salita più impegnativa ad una quarantina di chilometri dalla partenza, Benkovac Fuzinski. Potrebbe rimanere nelle gambe in caso di partenza molto veloce e farsi sentire al momento di affrontare le facili ascese previste nel finale. L’arrivo è posto al termine di una salita di 6 Km, ripida nei primi 1200 metri (media del 9.5%), molto dolce nel tratto che conduce al traguardo e nel quale la pendenza è di poco superiore al 2%

The fourth stage takes place entirely on the roads of Croatia, which from the city of Rijeka (better known as Fiume in Italy) leads to the heart of the spectacular Plitvice Lakes National Park. The route is medium mountain and includes the most demanding climb about forty kilometers from the start, Benkovac Fuzinski. He could remain in the legs in the event of a very fast start and make himself felt when facing the easy ascents expected in the final. The finish is placed at the end of a 6 km climb, steep in the first 1200 meters (average of 9.5%), very gentle in the stretch that leads to the finish line and in which the slope is just over 2%

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5a tappa: Bihac – Banja Luka (Banj Brdo) (165 Km)

Protagonista delle due giornate centrali della corsa balcanica è la Repubblica Serba di Bosnia ed Erzegovina, che oggi propone l’arrivo in una delle due capitali dello stato, Banja Luka, nota località termale e sede dell’Assemblea Nazionale. L’arrivo non è in città ma in cima alla salita della Banj Brdo (letteralmente “collina dei bagni”), poco meno di 4 Km al 6.8% con una punta massima del 12%.

The Serbian Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the protagonist of the two central days of the Balkan race, which today proposes the arrival in one of the two capitals of the state, Banja Luka, a well-known spa resort and seat of the National Assembly. The arrival is not in the city but at the top of the Banj Brdo climb (literally "hill of the baths"), just under 4 km at 6.8% with a maximum peak of 12%.

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6a tappa: Doboj – Olimpijski Centar Jahorina (228 Km)

Sulle strade della Bosnia va in scena la prima delle tre tappe di alta montagna, che propone l’arrivo in salita sul Monte Jahorina, che ospita uno dei principali comprensori sciistici dello stato, nel 1984 sede delle gare di sci alpino femminile in occasione delle Olimpiadi di Sarajevo. Quest’ultima, seconda capitale dello stato, viene attraversata ad una settantina di chilometri dall’arrivo.

On the roads of Bosnia the first of the three high mountain stages is staged, which proposes the arrival uphill on Mount Jahorina, which houses one of the main ski areas in the state, in 1984 the venue of the women's alpine skiing competitions for the Olympics from Sarajevo. The latter, the second capital of the state, is crossed approximately seventy kilometers from the arrival.

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7a tappa: Sarajevo – Podgorica (227 Km)

La settima tappa è lunga quasi quanto la precedente ma molto meno impegnativa. Esauriti i saliscendi a 84 Km dal traguardo, il tratto finale prima in discesa e poi in pianura verso Podgorica, capitale del Montenegro, favorisce i velocisti, chiamati alla seconda volta ad esibirsi nella corsa balcanica.

The seventh stage is almost as long as the previous one but much less demanding. Once the ups and downs are exhausted at 84 km from the finish, the final stretch first downhill and then in the plain towards Podgorica, capital of Montenegro, favors sprinters, called the second time to perform in the Balkan race.

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8a tappa: Podgorica – Mali i Dajtit (185 Km)

Le due tappe “chiave” della corsa si disputano consecutivamente. La prima prevede l’arrivo sul Monte Dajt, la montagna di Tirana, raggiunta al termine di un’interminabile salita di 21 Km caratterizzata da una pendenza media del 4%. Il tratto più impegnativo viene superato tra il nono e il sedicesimo chilometro di scalata (i mille metri più difficili presentano una pendenza media del 11.3%), mentre gli ultimi 6 Km sono costantemente in falsopiano.

The two "key" stages of the race are held consecutively. The first involves the arrival on Mount Dajt, the mountain of Tirana, reached at the end of an endless climb of 21 km characterized by an average gradient of 4%. The most demanding stretch is overcome between the ninth and the sixteenth kilometer of climbing (the thousand more difficult meters have an average gradient of 11.3%), while the last 6 km are constantly on a flat slope.

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9a tappa: Elbasan – Ski Center Kopanki (164 Km)

Tra Albania e Macedonia del Nord si disputa la tappa decisiva e più impegnativa di questa corsa. Dei tre arrivi in salita principali, infatti, quello alla stazione di sport invernali di Kopanki è il più impegnativo, senza essere tuttavia estremo nelle inclinazioni. La pendenza media dell’ascesa finale, lunga una dozzina di chilometri, è del 6.4%, per una marcia di avvicinamento al Tour non particolarmente dura, tenuto anche presente che questa corsa dura 10 giorni, più del Delfinato.

The decisive and most demanding stage of this race takes place between Albania and North Macedonia. Of the three main uphill arrivals, in fact, the one at the Kopanki winter sports station is the most demanding, without however being extreme in inclinations. The average slope of the final ascent, a dozen kilometers long, is 6.4%, for an approach gear to the Tour that is not particularly hard, also bearing in mind that this race lasts 10 days, more than the Dauphiné.

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10a tappa: Bitola – Thessaloniki (187 Km)

L’ultima tappa costituisce la tradizionale passerella conclusiva favorevole ai velocisti. Traguardo finale in riva al Mar Egeo con un circuito cittadino di 6 Km da ripetere due volte.

The last stage constitutes the traditional final catwalk conducive to sprinters. Final goal on the shore of the Aegean Sea with a 6 km city circuit to be repeated twice.

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Re: Contest #6 - Balkans Tour [Cat. 2]

Post by IamCeeKae »

Can we plot our routes under the assumption that the borders between the Balkan countries are open? Or should all separate stages be kept within the borders of a single country?
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Re: Contest #6 - Balkans Tour [Cat. 2]

Post by emmea90 »

IamCeeKae wrote: 14/07/2020, 13:03 Can we plot our routes under the assumption that the borders between the Balkan countries are open? Or should all separate stages be kept within the borders of a single country?
You can assume everything that is not specified in the constraints, so no problems of borders, date, time, year, season, snow or covid.
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Re: Contest #6 - Balkans Tour [Cat. 2]

Post by ellvey »

Can we include a rest day? Volta a Portugal is 10 days and has a rest day
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Re: Contest #6 - Balkans Tour [Cat. 2]

Post by emmea90 »

ellvey wrote: 14/07/2020, 17:31 Can we include a rest day? Volta a Portugal is 10 days and has a rest day
No. No rest day, so no "long transfers" in the middle.
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Re: Contest #6 - Balkans Tour [Cat. 2]

Post by IamCeeKae »

Is starting or finishing the Balkans Tour in Greece mandatory, or can you finish the stage race in a country like Bulgaria as well? It would still be part of the Balkans, although leaning slightly to the east.
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Re: Contest #6 - Balkans Tour [Cat. 2]

Post by luigi.russo »

If the race starts in Croatia, can it end in Kosovo/Albania instead of Greece?
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Re: Contest #6 - Balkans Tour [Cat. 2]

Post by emmea90 »

IamCeeKae wrote: 17/07/2020, 12:17 Is starting or finishing the Balkans Tour in Greece mandatory, or can you finish the stage race in a country like Bulgaria as well? It would still be part of the Balkans, although leaning slightly to the east.
Mandatory.
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Re: Contest #6 - Balkans Tour [Cat. 2]

Post by emmea90 »

luigi.russo wrote: 17/07/2020, 14:43 If the race starts in Croatia, can it end in Kosovo/Albania instead of Greece?
No, it shall be from top to bottom or the other way around.
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Re: Contest #6 - Balkans Tour [Cat. 2]

Post by luigi.russo »

Here is my Tour of Western Balkans!
maps/tours/view/15596

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The first three stage are set in the Croatian coast, passing through many turistic places, with two sprinter stages and a time trial. Then there are an hilly stage and a mountain one in inner Bosnia, with the hardest top finish of the race. Finally, after another sprinter stage in Montenegro, there are four high or medium mountain stages between Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Greece favourable to attack for overturn the GC of the race.
Each stage starts and ends in big enough city or turistic towns and has two sprints with time bonus near the finish to promote attacks. There isn't any extreme stage and some very long but not too steep uphill because it ideally is a preparation race for a GT, like Tour de Suisse, but there are stages for all kinds of riders and I think the race could be fun enough with this route.

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First stage all on Croatian coast, long and with some difficulties: not enough to avoid a bunch finish, but the first leader will be a complete sprinter.

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The riders will reach Dugi Otok island for this ITT, suited for specialist but not completely flat and not too long. Both starting and ending town are linked to Zadar with ferry boat so the transfer is feasible.

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Flat stage for pure sprinters, the only difficulty could be the wind since all the route is on the coast.

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Hilly stage from Croatia to Bosnia, with many KOMs in the first half, even no one is too demanding. The key poiny will surely be the shot climb of Miljkovici, ending less than 10km from the finish line.

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First high mountain stage, with a demanding climb right at the beginning and a very long last climb with the last 5km at 9% and the last 2km almost at 11%, a stage for true climbers ending over 2000m in a ski station near Sarajevo.

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The first half isn't easy but the sprinter's teams won't lose this last chanche for a bunch finish in Montenegro capital city.

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Mountain stage between Montenegro and Kosovo with four 2nd category climbs, with the last ending 30km to the finish. The end isn't very demanding but the denivel+ is 3748m and the stage is tactically complex and some team could organize a long range attack to recover the gaps from ITT and/or top finish of Bjelasnica.

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From Kosovo to North Macedonia with a demanding high mountain stage. The riders have just raced a stage with a lot of denivel and the climb to Prevellac is very long even if far from finish, so the last climb could be more demanding than it seems and will be surely decisive for the GC.

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A medium mountain stage all in North Macedonia, easier than the previous but the last two climbs are close and near the finish: the fight for the stage will surely be fun but the stage is tricky and could also be very dangerous for GC riders.

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Grand finale of the race in Greece with a mountain stage: the climb to Kato Vermio (highest town of Greece and famous Ski center) ends 45km to the finish but it's long and demanding; the climb to Koutsochori is steep and will be last judge of the race. Finish line is in Vernia, a city with a long history and important archaeological museums.

EDIT: I changed last stage because there was an unpraticable road
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Re: Contest #6 - Balkans Tour [Cat. 2]

Post by davandluz »

BALKANS TOUR 2020
maps/tours/view/15592

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THE TOUR
In preparation for the Tour de France, Balkan cycling federations have decided to come together and organize a 10-stage race. The first edition of the Tour concentrates mostly on the Southern part of the region to promote some otherwise underrepresented territories, as they offer beautiful terrains for cycling. Borders will only be crossed by bike, and not in stage transfers, to symbolize the diplomatic effort necessary to organize such a race and the cease of hostility between countries in the region.

THE ROUTE
The route is designed for complete cyclists, who can both compete in long, high mountain passes and shorter, more explosive hills. 5 out of the 10 stages will see a mountain top finish: the grand total of categorized climbs is 28 (6 1st category, 9 2nd cateogry, 6 3rd category and 7 4th category), divided in two high mountain stages, four medium mountain stages, two flat stages and two individual time trials (one of which is the prologue). Stages are generally short, with their lenght kept under 180 Km, with the two Sunday stages as the only exceptions.
The Grand Departure will take place in Greece (4 stage starts, 3 stage endings), with the first weekend completely dedicated to the Southern country of the region. The race will continue Northwise, crossing Albania (2 stage starts, 2 stage endings), North Macedonia (1 stage start, 1 stage ending), Kosovo (2 stage starts, 2 stage endings), Montenegro (1 stage start, 1 stage ending) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (only transiting) and ending in Croatia (1 stage ending).

THE STAGES
Prologue, Friday, individual time trial
Athens - Apostolos Nikolaidis Sports Ground > Athens - Mount Lykavittos, 3.6 Km, +65 m
GREECE
Is there a better city than the birthplace of modern sports itself to locate the start of a new Tour? Athens, the Olympic city, has been chosen as the first Balkans Tour host city to honour the city's legacy with sports. A very short but insidious prologue will see riders competing for being the first leader jersey holders of the competition's history. The starting line is placed in front of Panathinaikos' football stadium, and after 2,7 Km the climb to Mount Lykavittos, hill that dominates the city, begins. History, once again, will begin in Athens.

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Stage 1, Saturday, medium mountain
Megara > Livadeia, 133.7 Km, +2143 m
GREECE
A very interesting stage takes place in the first Saturday of the race. Right after the start from the seaside city of Megara, a hilly beginning awaits the riders: in the first half of the race, 4 KOM summits will be climbed, making things difficult for the leader jersey team. Two further asperities are crossed in the second half of the stage, after the Thebes intermediate sprint: Leontari (4.6 Km, 5.7%) and Lafisti (2.5 Km, 5.3%), which summit is located at 5.5 Km from the finish line (and descent finishes just 3 Km before it), where the decisive attacks can be expected. It will be a difficult race to control, but it will also be essential to do so, if teams don't want to risk fairly big time gaps right from the beginning of the Tour.

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Stage 2, Sunday, high mountain
Lamia > Baros Pass, 218.4 Km, +3529 m
GREECE
The first high mountain stage, and last stage located entirely within the Greek territory, will animate the first Sunday of the Tour. Fireworks are expected: the 3 categorized climbs (one 2nd category KOM right after the start in Lamia and two very hard 1st category KOMs in the second half of the stage) are going to be a tough test on the riders. A very scenic ending on top of the Baros Pass (10.3 Km, 8.1%) will see grimpeurs competing for the stage victory give battle, and possibly to start accumulating a gap on their general classification rivals.

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Stage 3, Monday, flat
Giannina > Gjirokastër, 179.3 Km, +1384 m
GREECE, ALBANIA
The Tour finally leaves Greece and sprinters will have the first chance for a stage win in this Tour's 3rd stage. Albania will welcome the riders 84 Km into the stage: the first part will see riders climbing two KOMs, but the sprinters' teams should be able to control breakaways. The well preserved historic Ottoman town of Gjirokastër will host the stage ending, where a 600m straight sets the perfect terrain for a bunch sprint.

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Stage 4, Tuesday, medium mountain
Saranda > Selenicë, 153.8 Km, +2286 m
ALBANIA
A medium mountain stage gives stage seekers a good opportunity for a breakaway - there are four KOMs in this stage, with most notably the 1st category Llogara Pass (10.4 Km, 7.2%, summit located at the 86th Km) - in the only stage completely raced within the Albanian borders. From Saranda, riders will follow the Adriatic Sea Northwise until Vlorë, where they will turn East to reach Selenicë. The last few kilometers present a slight positive slope, a good terrain for finisseurs who want to cross the finish line alone.

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Stage 5, Wednesday, medium mountain
Fier > Velestovo, 177.3 Km, +1762 m
ALBANIA, NORTH MACEDONIA
The short but steep climb to Velestovo (4.2 Km, 8.3%, with the last Km above 13%) from Ohrida, in North Macedonia, is the setting of the 5th stage of the Balkans Tour's first edition. The route is characterized by a constant ascent right from the town of Peqin (just after the 4th category climb of Garunjas) right to the finish line. Sparks will be lit in the last 40 Km, with the Thanë Pass climb (location of the Albania - North Macedonia Border), the descent towards the Ohrida Lake, and 20 flat kilometers before the final KOM. Puncheurs will try to have their say (with an eye on the general classification).

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Stage 6, Thursday, flat
Kicevo > Ferizaj, 170.5 Km, +1305 m
NORTH MACEDONIA, KOSOVO
Second and last chance for sprinters in the stage from North Macedonia to Kosovo. Just a few kilometers after the start in Kicevo, riders will climb the only categorized KOM of the day, the 2nd category Straza Pass. Sprinters should be able to endure and recover, as the finish line is set 145 Km away from the summit. Riders will cross the cities of Gostivar, Tetovo and Skopje (the capital of North Macedonia), before crossing the border and arriving in Ferizaj. Complete sprinters will be this stage's favorites.

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Stage 7, Friday, individual time trial
Gracanica > Pristina, 22 Km, +181 m
KOSOVO
A fantastic ride through the mostly flat roads - with an exception in the middle of the route - of Pristina will see cyclists alone in their second test against the stopwatch. The capital of Kosovo was chosen as the Tour's first edition main ITT location to represent the union between Balkan nation, necessary for the positive outcome of this Tour. Furthermore, the start is located in the town of Gracanica, in front of the medieval, UNESCO protected Gracanica Monastery.

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Stage 8, Saturday, high mountain
Pec > Cakor Pass, 145.9 Km, +3085 m
KOSOVO, MONTENEGRO
The last high mountain stage of this Tour will have riders going to Montenegro, fifth country visited in this edition. Starting from the third city of Kosovo for population, Pec, riders will climb two long 1st category KOMs (and a 4th category KOM), Kulla (21 Km, 6.2%, where the border between Kosovo and Montenegro is crossed) and Cakor Pass (21.4 Km, 4,5%), where the fourth mountain top finish of the Tour is located. Riders must test their endurance on these long climbs: as the race comes close to its end, no distractions are permitted.

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Stage 9, Sunday, medium mountain
Kolasin > Dubrovnik - Fort Imperial, 226 Km, +3123 m
MONTENEGRO, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA, CROATIA
The last stage of the first edition of the Balkans Tour is also the longest one, with the last 226, decisive kilometers that will see riders cross three nations: Montenegro, where the start from Kolasin and the first four KOMs - most notably the climb to Redice (15.5 Km, 6.7%), which, located at the beginning of the stage, will be very hard on riders who have finished their energies too early - are located, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the only crossed country which does not host a stage (but with an intermediate sprint in Trebinje), and Croatia, where the final and pivotal climb to Dubrovnik's Fort Imperial (6.6 Km, 4.8%) will decide who the first Balkans Tour winner will be. The Tour will end as it had started, climbing the hill dominating the beautiful cities hosting the race.

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Re: Contest #6 - Balkans Tour [Cat. 2]

Post by kanon16 »

My Balkans Tour:
maps/tours/view/15618

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The Balkans Tour 2020 is a Race in 10 stages for different types of cyclists, across Seven Nations, from Ljubljana to Athens.
Who have to prepare the Tour de France finds ideal characteristics in this race: different stages in length and hardness, a selective time trial and a couple of mountain stages with good denivel but without excess.
The Race is mostly thought to be fun for the riders and the audience, the pressure is often less in a preparation race like this and consequently the actions could be more courageous..
- 1580 Km
- 1 ITT (MTF)
- 3 FLAT STAGES
- 4 MEDIUM MOUNTAIN STAGES (1MTF)
- 2 HIGH MOUNTAIN STAGES (1 MTF)


STAGE 1
MEDIUM MOUNTAIN
Ljubljana > Trieste: 154.65 Km +1750 m
SLOVENIA / ITALIA

From the beautifull Ljubljana to Trieste, in a hilly stage in which the riders will have to be very carefull to the last climb: a really ramp of 2,6 Km always over 10% that will surely decide the race.
maps/viewtrack/365357
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STAGE 2
FLAT
Rijeka (Fiume) > Gospic: 154.95 Km +2300 m
CROATIA

The Balkans are a mountainous country, so it's not easy to find really flat lands for sprinters. The first half of the stage is quite hilly and runs along the coast, with beautiful views. Then a quite long but not hard climb towards Majorija and the last 70 kilometers actually easy. Will the sprinters get the victory?
maps/viewtrack/365985
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STAGE 3
FLAT
Zadar > Sinj: 178.95 Km +1700 m
CROATIA

Last Croatian stage, and this time a sprint finish should be more secured.
From Zadar, a very old and historical city, to Sinj, in the heart of Dalmatia.
maps/viewtrack/366095
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STAGE 4
HIGH MOUNTAIN
Tomislavgrad > Mostar: 201 Km +3200 m
BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA

First mountain stage, long and maybe unusual, in the wild region around Mostar.
After 100 Kms the peloton will face the hard climb towards Rujiste (13,3 Km at 7,6%), a popular tourist resort in the area, then other 85 Kilometers mixed, with downhills and short KOM.
The final climb towards Fortica could be decisive (there is a ramp at 12% just in the last Kilometer), but the race could also explode many kilometers before and this would be more interesting. Fortica is a mount just above Mostar with many fortification and signes of World War I and II. Over there, recently, is born a Sport Park (Zip Line, MTB, climb and other) quite famous in the area.
maps/viewtrack/366119
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STAGE 5
MEDIUM MOUNTAIN
Gacko > Herceg Novi: 172 Km +2600 m
BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA / MONTENEGRO

Stage for breakaways with a mountain top finish, hilly but without very steep climbs.
The last ascent is quite regular (slope between 6 and 9%) and not so long, suitable for power climbers with a good sprint.
Herceg Novi is a picturesque coastal town in Montenegro, known as Castelnuovo in ancient times under the Republic of Venice.
maps/viewtrack/366250
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STAGE 6
ITT
Shkoder > Shtegvash: 28.25 Km +600 m
ALBANIA / MONTENEGRO

Shkodër is one of the most ancient city in the Balkans and from there starts a demanding ITT, maybe decisive for the final result of the Tour.
First 20 Kilometers flat, for specialists, then 8 kilometers of ascent very irregular, with a ramp at 17% just 1,5 Km from the finish line.
The finish line is right in the crest of the promontory, with a superb view on the Skadar Lake.

maps/viewtrack/366263
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STAGE 7
FLAT
Lezhe (Alessio) > Vlore: 182.90 Km +600 m
ALBANIA

Really flat stage in Albania. The sprinters can't make excuse this time!
The race touches important city like Durres and Fier before the finish line in Vlore.

maps/viewtrack/366270
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STAGE 8
MEDIUM MOUNTAIN
Saranda > Amfilokia: 225.92 Km +3000 m
ALBANIA / GREECE

The longest stage in the tour finally brings the peloton to Greece.
The many climbs in the first part could clearly favor a breakaway, in any case the final, with two short ascents along the coast (mostly the second at 14 Kilometers from Amfilokia), is suitable for attacks. Even it's possible a sprint by a small group.
maps/viewtrack/365120
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STAGE 9
HIGH MOUNTAIN
Patrà > Ziria Ski Center: 127.10 Km +2900 m
GREECE

Decisive stage! In only 127 Kilometers 4 climbs with the HC ascent towards Karuà. (the average slope of 6,1 % is distorted by 4 kilometers flat in the middle).
The last climb towards the Ski Resort of Ziria is easier but it could surely increase the gaps between the riders in case of deep selection.
maps/viewtrack/364950
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STAGE 10
MEDIUM MOUNTAIN
Korinthos > Athina: 154.46 Km +2700 m
GREECE

What better ending than Athens for a Balkans Tour? 154 Kilometers along which everything could still change in GC. The key of the race are maybe the two hard climbs in sequence just in the middle of the stage, with steep slope often over 10/12% and until 15%. If someone has enough courage he could attack there and create a splendid stage!
Also the final in the Capital offers chanches for attacks, in particular along the Mount Asteriou (max slope 14%).
The last 600 m at 9% towards Lykavittous Mount will offer a great show until the very end of the Tour!
maps/viewtrack/366597
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Last edited by kanon16 on 28/07/2020, 12:02, edited 7 times in total.
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pierrick.weather
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Re: Contest #6 - Balkans Tour [Cat. 2]

Post by pierrick.weather »

Here is my version of the Balkans Tour.
The 10-day-long stage race begins in Dubrovnik, Croatia, and ends in Olympia, Greece.
Sorry but it looks like the image links don't work.
Here is the route : maps/tours/view/15642

STAGE 1 : DUBROVNIK - KONJIC
maps/viewtrack/365964
The first stage begins in the famous city of Dubrovnik, and quickly crosses the borders of Bosna I Hercegovina on a very hilly terrain. Then, the road becomes more flat until the end. The stage is made for a tough sprinter.

STAGE 2 : SARAJEVO - SKI CENTAR RAVNA PLANINA PALE
maps/viewtrack/365967
This 32.5-km-long individual time-trial also features the first mountain finish,as it arrives in a ski resort at the east of Sarajevo. The last climb features 11.27 Km at 5.9%. if there is a flat portion between Bulozi and Pale, the riders will the have to be at the top of their shape to be sure not to lose all hopes of victory !

STAGE 3 : GORAZDE - BUKOVA VODA
maps/viewtrack/365974
The 3rd stage of the race will be the first real confrontation between favorites, as the race reaches Montenegro. The last climb features sometimes percentages higher than 13% !

STAGE 4 : BERANE - MITROVICE
maps/viewtrack/365987
I don't know why the site indicates 119kms, since the stage is 60km longer ! Also, there is an issue with sprints I can't fix. The race reaches now Kosovo, from Montenegro and Serbia. This very hilly route is meant for a barouder or a solid puncher.

STAGE 5 : PRISHTINE - GUERMAN
maps/viewtrack/366144
It seems that there is also a bug with the macedonian border that is not displayed on the profile, even if it is featured in the intermediates. The race arrives in Macedonia and finishes in a 14-km-long 1st category climb. The leaders will fight again for the leader Jersey.

STAGE 6 :STRATSIN - PETRITCH
maps/viewtrack/366163
This is a typical transition stage, with a tough climb to negociate in the beggining, after what the stage goes flat again. The finish is made for a sprinter.

STAGE 7 : THESSALONIQUE - MOUNT OLYMPUS
maps/viewtrack/366167
A stage made for real "gods" of cycling ! The HC final climb is in a gravel road that the riders will have to negociate well ! The winner will need luck, strenght and courage to finish this stage !
The race arrives in Greece

STAGE 8 : LARISSA - AMBRACIA
maps/viewtrack/366326
The stage is made for climbers but ends in a flat portion ! There should be a sprint between a few riders for the win.

STAGE 9 : AMPHILOCHIA - PATRAS
maps/viewtrack/366332
A stage that will be probably for a baroudeur, or a leader that had lost time during the first stages. The final is really made for bold ones !

STAGE 10 : OLYMPIA - OLYMPIA
maps/viewtrack/366342
The race finishes with another individual Time-Trial in the birth place of the Olympism ! Real athlets will be in the top 10 of this 32km hilly CLM. They will have to negociate the tough percentages of the Kamena pass in the middle of the stage.
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Re: Contest #6 - Balkans Tour [Cat. 2]

Post by jajoejoe »

Here is my submission for this contest:
maps/tours/view/15640
Image

Stage 1: Novo Mesto->Novo Mesto
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A prologue in the streets of Novo Mesto, there won't be any big gaps here, but gc contenders will have to watch out.

Stage 2: Brezice->Novska
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A completely flat stage in Croatia, sprinters will have circeled this stage in their agenda

Stage 3: Bosanska Gradiska->Tesanj
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The first hilly stage, again no big gaps and a strong sprinter will win this stage

Stage 4: Zavidovici->Pale
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The first mountain stage, a long climb with some pretty steep parts.

Stage 5: Foca->Bar
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The second and last completely flat stage which goes from Bosnia-Herzegovina to Montenegro

Stage 6: Shkodër->Elbasan
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A stage that isn't hard enough to be considered a mountain stage, but also too hard to be hilly. Probably a stage for the breakaway to get a chance at victory.

Stage 7: Elbasan->Korcë - La Montagna
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A hill top finish just outside of Korcë in Albania. A nasty climb which can catch out some gc contenders.

Stage 8: Kastoriá->Meteora
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One for the breakaway or the main men of this Balkan Tour? One thing for sure is that the finishplace is the most beautiful yet.

Stage 9: Karditsa->Parnassos
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A stage that will probably decide the gc. A long climb to the ski center on the side of the mythical Parnassos mountain close to Delphi

Stage 10: Livadeia->Livadeia
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The last time stage will decide who will win and lose. A short and steep climb followed by a long flat to the finish, where will the riders spend most of their energy?
Last edited by jajoejoe on 25/07/2020, 15:55, edited 1 time in total.
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player
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Re: Contest #6 - Balkans Tour [Cat. 2]

Post by player »

Hi, here there is my tour on the Balkans. This tour starts in Trieste and finish in Tirane in Albania.
maps/tours/view/15643[url]
I don't put any images because they don't work, so i put the link of the visulisation of the various stage.

Stage 1: Trieste-Koper 26,7 Km
Individual Time Trial
maps/viewtrack/366833
The first stage is an Individual time Trial from Trieste to Koper (Slovenia), which is long 26,7 km. In this stage there is the climb of Colomban which is long 1.8 Km at 6,9 %, it finishes nine kilometries before the finish.

Stage 2:Koper-Ogulin 204,6 Km
Medium Mountain Stage
maps/viewtrack/366847
The second stages is a medium mountain stage which starts in Koper (Slovenia) and finish in Ogulin (Croatia). This stage contains a lot of different climbs the last one finishes 40 Km before the end of the stage.

Stage 3:Ogulin-Zagreb 187,3Km
Medium Mountain Stage
maps/viewtrack/366859
This stage is divided in two part: the first one is Flat and takes cyclist to the first passage on finish line in Zagreb, the second one is a circuit, that it would be repeated two times, which contains the climb of Sljeme which is long 19,2 Km at 4,4 % that can make attack some cyclist who want to anticpate the final sprint.

Stage 4: Popovaca-Banja Luka 162,9 Km
Flat Stage
maps/viewtrack/366879
The fourth stage start from Popovaca (Croatia) and finishes in Banja Luka (Bosnia-Herzegovina). This is a flat stage except from a climb that is 15 km from the finish.

Stage 5:Banja Luka-Risovac 231,5 Km
High Mountain Stage
maps/viewtrack/366925
This stage start from Banja Luke and ends in Risovac (each other in Bosnia-Herzogovina), it contains five different climbs, Risovac, the last climb , is the first ends on the top of a climb in this Balkans Tour. Risovac is long 26,4 Km at 3,9%. This stage are for the cyclist that want to win general classification of the tour.

Stage 6:Sarajevo-Podgorica 242,8 Km
Flat Stage
maps/viewtrack/366931
This stage starts in Bosnia with some climb but after the climb of Cemerino the stage proceed with downill and in the last kilometres planv to arrive in Podgorica the main city of Montenegro. In this stage the sprinter are the favourite to win the stage.

Stage 7:Podgorica-Radac 209,9 Km
High Mountain Stage
maps/viewtrack/367205
If a cyclist want to be the winner of this tour he can't fail this stage because it contains four climbs and the last two Kimlometres in a slight climb to reach Radac. This stage starts in Montenegro and finishes in Kosovo.

Stage 8:Peje-Tetobo Popava Shapka 210,9 Km
High Mountain Stage
maps/viewtrack/367226
If a cyclist want to be the winner of this tour he can't fail this stage because it contains three climbs in 100 Km, two of these are classsifed as first category for the difficulty of them. This stage finish with the final climb of Popava-Shapka long 19 Km at 6,4 %. This stage starts in Kosovo and finish in North Macedonia.

Stage 9:Tetobo-Mali i Krujes 220,8 Km
High Mountain Stage
maps/viewtrack/367232
If a cyclist want to be the winner of this tour he can't fail this stage because it is the last stage before the finale individual time trial of Tirane and a climber want to earn some time from the specialist of time trial. The main difficult of this stage are the two last climb (each are classified as first category for the difficult of climb): Cudhi Kampt long 19,1 Km at 4,9% and Mali i Krujes long 8,6 Km at 8,4%. This stage starts in North Macedonia an finishes near Tirane in Albania.

Stage 10:Tirane-Tirane 30,6 Km
Individual Time Trial
maps/viewtrack/367261
The winner of Balkans Tour it can be decided with this last stage. This time trial is quite long (30,6 Km) and hilly because there are two climbs that have to be passed: the first, Kodra Zabelit is slight and it is the first chronometric intermediate, the second, Lananbregas, is more difficult and long (8,8 Km at 3,9%) here there is the secon chronometric intermediate. After this climb there is a downhill which takes cyclist to the finish of the Balkans Tour.
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ellvey
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Re: Contest #6 - Balkans Tour [Cat. 2]

Post by ellvey »

This is my proposal

maps/tours/view/15600

Stage 1 - Predjama - Postojna (Postojna Caves) - Individual Time Trial
Slovenia
Image
The inedit Balkans Tour kicks of in the little Slovenian town of Predjama, with its stunning castle in the background, with a short and rolling ITT, finishing in another big tourist spot, the Postojna Caves, just outside of the city of Postojna itself.

Stage 2 - Koper/Capodistria - Koper/Capodistria - Hilly
Slovenia > Croatia > Slovenia
Image
A short stage between Slovenia and Croatia. The last 30kms are very hilly, with short and steep climbs using a few narrow roads, including a short, very narrow cobble road and climb, inside the scenic town of Piran, where only bikes and motorbikes will be allowed to enter. This stage can be very interesting, and surprise some of the contenders.

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Stage 3 - Rijeka - Starigrad - Flat
Croatia
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A stage for sprinters, following the rugged croatian coastline. The stage will possibilitate great helicopter shots, culminating at the end, as the finishing town is the gateway to the stunning Paklenica National Park.

Stage 4 - Šibenik - Mostar (Križ na Humu) - Hilly
Croatia > Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Long and hilly stage, with a MTF in the outskirts of the Bosnian city of Mostar. The sucession of the last 2 climbs can do some damage and create some gaps.

Image Image

Stage 5 - Neum - Lovcén - High Mountain
Bosnia and Herzegovina > Croatia > Montenegro
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First mountain stage in a stunning region. The climb of Lovcén is very long and can be divided in 2 sections, the first one has a lot harpins and provides truly amazing views, but it's very steady and never really steep; on the other hand, the secound half is irregular and has a few steep sections. It will be the first proper test for the GC riders.

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Stage 6 - Podgorica - Lezhë - Flat
Montenegro > Albania
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Another stage for the sprinters. It has a hilly beginning, but the second half is pan flat.

Stage 7 - Kukës - Popova Šapka - High Mountain
Albania > Kosovo > North Macedonia
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Crossing 3 countries, this stage is quite hard, finishing in one of the two most important ski resorts in North Macedonia, and also the toughest MTF in the race. A very important day for the climbers.

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Stage 8 - Kichevo - Cozani - Flat
North Macedonia > Greece
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Last opportunity for the Sprinters. Rolling stage with a short climb in the final kms and a gentle uphill finish, which might slightly favour riders such as Sagan, Trentin, etc.

Stage 9 - Grevena - Metsovo - High Mountain
Greece
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The Queen stage, designed to try to rival anything that can be done in Switzerland and in the Dauphiné. It's very hard, with 6 categorized climbs, but the main attraction is undoubtedly Baros Pass, the highest, hardest climb in the Balkans Tour and also very beautiful. The top is located 40kms from the finish, but the race should explode in its slopes. Afterwards, they still have to face the Cat 1 of Skafda Pass and a steep punchy climb in the streets of the scenic town of Metsovo.

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Stage 10 - Trikala - Meteora - Individual Time Trial
Greece
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The Tour finishes with a stunning TT ending in Meteora, one of the most iconic places in whole world. The first 20 kms are pan flat, on a straight road, pretty much the paradise of any TT specialist. Climbers can lose a lot of time, even if they have the last climb to try to limit their losses.

Image
Last edited by ellvey on 09/08/2020, 2:59, edited 1 time in total.
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Micek_52
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Re: Contest #6 - Balkans Tour [Cat. 2]

Post by Micek_52 »

Tour of Balkans 2020:

This is my submission for the Tour of Balkans contest. My route consists of 2 flat stages, 2 medium mountain stages, 5 mountain stages (all of them have a mountain-top finish) and a final time trial for a total race distance of 1794 kilometres (a bit longer than most others). The route features 34 categorised climbs (3x HC, 7x C1, 9x C2, 7xC3 and 8x C4)
The tour visits 7 countries (Greece - Start of stage 1; Macedonia - most of stage 1 and start of S2; Albania - most of stages 2 and 3; Montenegro - finish of stage 3 and most of stage 4; Bosnia - finish of S4 and half of S5; Croatia - Half of S5 and entire lengths of stages 6 and 7; Slovenia - Stages 8,9,10)

OVERALL PLAN:
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STAGE 1 Thessaloniki -> Skopje - 245.5km; Flat
Image
~~~

STAGE 2 Kichevo -> Bulquize - 162.5km; Hilly
Image
~~~

STAGE 3 Tirana -> Podgorica - 185km; Hilly
Image
~~~

STAGE 4 Podgorica -> Trebinje - 173.5km; Mountain
Image
~~~

STAGE 5 Mostar -> Sveti Jure - 205.5km; Mountain
Image
~~~

STAGE 6 Split -> Zadar - 173km; Flat
Image
~~~

STAGE 7 Starigrad Paklenica -> Crikvenica - 203km; Mountain
Image
~~~

STAGE 8 Nova Gorica -> Sveta Gora - 231.5km; Mountain
Image
~~~

STAGE 9 Most na Soci -> Mangartsko Sedlo - 199km; Mountain
Image
~~~

STAGE 10 Medvode -> Ljubljana - 20km; ITT
Image
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
maps/tours/view/15631

Hope you like it! :happy:
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giorgio.ponticelli
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Re: Contest #6 - Balkans Tour [Cat. 2]

Post by giorgio.ponticelli »

BALKANS TOUR 2020

Here's my version
maps/tours/view/15702

Quick preview

Stage 1 Ljubljana (SLO) > Ljubljana (SLO) 8,7 Km - ITT
Elevation +91 m / -93 m

Image


Stage 2 Grosuplje (SLO) > Rijeka (HRV) 164.0 Km - Medium Mountain
Elevation +3,188 m / -3,508 m

Image


Stage 3 Novi Vinodolski(HRV) > Donji Lapac(HRV) 173.6 Km - Medium Mountain
Elevation +3,286 m / -2,797 m

Image


Stage 4 Mrkovic Grad (BIH) > Mostar (BIH) 190.6 Km - Plain
Elevation +1,957 m / -2,514 m

Image


Stage 5 Stolac (BIH) > Kotor (MNE) 193.36 Km - Plain
Elevation +2,405 m / -2,536 m

Image


Stage 6 Podgorica (MNE) > Rozaje (MNE) 213.53 Km - High Mountain
Elevation +5,337 m / -4,391 m

Image


Stage 7 Gjakova (RKS) > Mogorche (NMK) 168.06 Km - Medium Mountain
Elevation +3,777 m / -3,132 m

Image


Stage 8 Ohrid (NMK) > Podgarec (ALB) 37.04 Km - ITT
Elevation +517 m / -518 m

Image


Stage 9 Florina (GR) > Xirolivado (GR) 164.41 Km - High Mountain
Elevation +4,511 m / -3,917 m

Image


Stage 10 Betola (GR) > Tessaloniki (GR) 137.31 Km - Plain
Elevation +1,019 m / -1,090 m

Image
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Pincoletto
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Re: Contest #6 - Balkans Tour [Cat. 2]

Post by Pincoletto »

Here's my BALKANS TOUR;
maps/tours/view/15756

1 Kerkyra (GRC) > Kerkyra (GRC) 163.43 km **
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2 Igoumenitsa (GRC) > Orikum (ALB) 173.01 km ***
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3 Vlorë (ALB) > Lezhë (ALB) 187.86 km *
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4 Shkodër (ALB) > Cetinje (MNE) 183.81 km ***
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5 Kotor (MNE) > Mostar (BIH) 205.51 km **
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6 Mostar (BIH) > Olympic Center Jahorina (BIH) 173.32 km ****
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7 Sarajevo (BIH) > Banja Luka (BIH) 201.96 km ***
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8 Novi Grad (BIH) > Zagreb (HRV) 172.83 km ***
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9 Samobor (HRV) > Rogla Ski Resort (SVN) 195.09 km ****
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10 Ljubljana/Parlament (SVN) > Ljubljana/Ljubljanski Grad (SVN) (individual time trial) 24.76 km ****
Image
Uno dei pochi sport in cui Berlusconi non abbia investito una lira è il ciclismo, dunque qualcosa di buono deve averlo
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