Leaving Porto feels almost too sudden: one moment it is river, bridges, tiled façades and city noise; a few turns later it is Gaia, suburbs and pressure on the pedals. The day is short, but it does not hand itself over. Right from the start, the road climbs for nearly 4 km, steadily lifting away from the Douro maze. A second rise follows through quieter streets and green edges. The best part comes after Lourosa: one final hill of about 4 km, gentle but persistent, before São João da Madeira draws close and the stage feels neatly, satisfyingly compact.
