A lot of the most authentic Sardinia is found inside the island. Like that little jewel represented by Santu Lussurgiu and its medieval village. The traditional hospitality of inland Sardinia, the gastronomic traditions and the quality of life. To enjoy all this, you move away from the coast for a while and climb the mountains of Montiferru region crossing small and quiet villages such as Tresnuraghes, Sennariolo and finally Cuglieri, which you can see when we are still close to the sea, given the huge size of the Basilica of Santa Maria della Neve. From Cuglieri, a long climb in the shadow of a oak forest takes you towards Santu Lussurgiu, the town where you'll stay overnight.

You cross the famous Costa Verde of Sardinia: an area with lush nature and beaches characterized by imposing sand dunes. Once it was the heart of the island's mining industry and now the vestiges of that past and the luxurious nature compete for the spaces once inhabited by thousands of workers of the flourishing coal mining industry. On the bike is a mountain stage. Mainly three long climbs, never very steep and a long and funny descent with a view of the gulf that introduces us to the destination: the small tourist resort of Portixeddu, where dinner and overnight stay are planned.

First step, when still at the hotel, is to put a brand new memory card with many gigabyte in the camera: the stretch of coast where you ride along on this stage, especially in its first part, is a kind of a very special photographic set. The coastline of Nebida, Buggerru and Masua has many climbs and as many descents. But the time you'll spend on uphill is never enough, as it allows us to better fix the memory of these breathtaking views. A stop at Cala Domestica is a must before tackling the second part of the stage that takes you to Sant'Antico, where the overnight stay is planned.