From west coast to central Sardinia, precisely to Orroli. Views, landscape, kind of cycling, everything changes slowly but decidedly the more we ride away from the coastline. But the way we leave the coastline is unforgettable: a long and winding climb where corners seem to be there just to make us enjoy the sea from above.

From there we start a long stretch across grain fields of the flats in the central western Sardinia before the second part of the stage, that proposes rolling hills and short climbs up to the old village of Orroli. Accommodation and dinner are in an Albergo diffuso. The location is very typical and the meals are some of the best traditional food you can get on Sardinia.

This third stage survives the big changes introduced in the newest Epic Sardinia – there’s no point in throwing out a winner! From Orroli we ride towards and across the wildest Sardinian region, called Barbagia.

We leave the small town and ride towards the north and after a spectacular and winding descent we get to the lowest point of the ride: the Lower Flufendosa lake. We'll climb for a while with the view of the lake on our right side and after a flat section, we face the second proper climb of the day: seven kilometre, but with easy gradient.

Left and we catch a real gem among the Sardinian roads: the old SS389 that cuts the eastern portion of the Gennargentu mountain range. It's a very wild segment, there aren't many roads like that in Europe and every time we can ride on that, we feel the privilege of being cyclist as we take all the right time to enjoy all the beauty and freedom that our sport can grant. All the nice thing come to an end. The end of this road is close to the hotel: a very quiet and comfortable accommodation inside a park. A swim in the nice pool among the lush vegetation, a few beers with the friends we've shared this adventure with: in other words the well deserved relax before a nice dinner.

After years running a biking tour operation we've ridden here and there on the island but when it comes to tell which is the nicest Sardinian climb, the answer is always the Talana climb. And there it is! To enjoy every single hairpin we need to go all the way down, nearly at sea level. In fact the ascent, that tops at 1100m of Monte Genziana, stats very low, at about 15m ASL. From there it's about 17km up, while the proper segment start - when the climb appears like a wall in front of us, it's 'only 12km', with average gradient being 6.9%: a piece of cake, and the only 'Hors Catégorie' climb in the island, for those who are more into the pro cycling stats. 

We never suggest pushing too much on that, as the stage doesn't end on its top. We'll have another - long - climb up the Correboi pass: 10km at 3.6% grade, practically a leg loosener compared to Talana. 

The top of Correboi pass - 1246m - is really spectacular as it's like a terrace with a view on the east and another to the west. It's also close to destination: a lovely agriturismo on the mountains outside the town of Fonni. Quality (and quantity) food and great comfort are granted.

We'll see how the Gennargentu can be sweet, offering low inclines for most of the ride. But we'll also see that it can be bloody hard if you don't respect the last climb to the Bruncu Spina col, to conquer the highest top on the island. We start from the Agriturismo at Fonni at 1100 m above sea level for an anticlockwise loop. After a very long way down, the first climbs are not particularly long or steep.

The longest climb of the whole tour begins right before Tonara and continues all the way up to the crossroad at Tascusì pass (1250m). This is a second category climb and is nearly 23 km long, with an average incline of 3%. We never use to ride it in one breathe: we always plan a stop in the middle, at Tonara, to enjoy a coffee and some blocks of the world famous Torrone of which this town is proudly a renowned maker. Letf Tonara with the pockets full of Torrone, we're ready to complete the climb up to the pass. From there, some more kilometre up and down, then the last challenge: the final climb up to the 1560m of Monte Bruncu Spina, where the ski facilities are located. No time (nor weather) for skiing: we ride back us back home. After a glorious ride, we’ll spend another night at the same Agriturismo outside Fonni, and we’ll enjoy another superlative Sardinian dinner.

Back to the Sea could be the title of the sixth stage. For those who think that this will be easy, well, it’s not. During this stage we’ll experience some of the most fascinating and known hills. Left Fonni we ride downwards towards the eastern coast. 

In the middle of the descent we take a chance to enjoy a stop in Orgosolo and grab a cappuccino among the world famous mural paintings that are visited by thousand visitors every year. 

The last climb of the tour is not far. It begins out Dorgali and in about 20km will take us atop Genna Silana Pass, stage KOM is the 2017 Giro d'Italia. 

The mention is not casual: having 150 pro riders ridden that climb, furthermore on a day with super strong tailwind, makes any attempt to break a record - for the pleasure of your Strava followers - a massive non sense.

Left aside any velleity, we keep our pace and even light-heartedly  enjoy  a food stop right in front of the Gorropu gorge, the deepest canyon in Europe. We wouldn't like either the stage or the whole trip come to an end, but after another fun and long descent we get to destination: the lovely resort of Santa Maria Navarrese.  We’ll overnight at a three-star hotel near the beach.