GT20 / ETAPE 1 : BASTIA - CENTURI

If you're a fan of discovery and challenge, stage 1 of the GT 20 will take you to the heart of wild Corsica. From Bastia, a city of art and history, to Cinturi, this first 54km adventure follows the coastline lined with secret coves and picturesque villages, before entering the inland areas of Cap Corse. On this stage, you can expect 700m of D+, with a fairly gentle warm-up over the first 35km, with only the crossing of Cap Corse from east to west over the last 20km posing any real difficulty.

The route starts in Bastia on the D80, offering superb views of the sea. The 1st section along the coast is fairly easy, despite a few false flats and climbs along the way. The total difference in altitude is around 700m. 25km away is the small port of Porticciolo, an ideal place to stop and enjoy the local cuisine. The ascent of U Macinaghju starts gently, then gets harder towards the Col de la Serra: 12km at an average gradient of 3%, with sections at 4/5%. The descent to Cinturi, where the stage ends, is narrow and winding. As a reward, discover this small port renowned for its lobster.