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ROUTE INFORMATION
The 1st International Halkidiki Cycle Race will run from Thursday 8 May to Sunday 11 May 2008 and will be made up of four stages, with a total length of 610 kilometres.
The four stages will include:
- 2 flat stages
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and 2 mountain stages
Distinctive aspects of the race:-
1 mountain finish,
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10 SP,
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6 GPM
 | 1st stage on 8 May 2008: 149.6 km. Start time 11:30.
START: Nea Moudania - Nea Potidea - Kallithea - Hanioti - Pefkohori - Paliouri - Agia Paraskevi - Loutra - Nea Skioni - Kalandra - Fourka - Siviri - Kasandria - Sani - Potidea - Agios Mamas - Olynthos - Kalives - FINISH Polygyros.
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2nd stage on 9 May 2008: 143.7 km. Start time 11:30.
START: Nea Kallikratia - Nea Silata - Eleohoria - Nea Triglia - Simantra - Vavdos - Paleokastro - Taxiarhis - Arnaia - Stanos - Varvara - Stagira - Stratoni - Ierissos - Nea Roda - FINISH Ouranoupoli.
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| 3rd stage on 10 May 2008: 155.1 km. Start time 11:30.
START: Ouranoupoli - Nea Roda - Ierissos - Stratoni - Olimpiada - Neohori - Paleohori - Megali Panagia - Plana - Vrastama - Ormilia - Metamorphosi - Nikiti - FINISH Neos Marmaras.
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| 4th stage on 11 May 2008: 160.2 km. Start time 11:30.
START: Porto Karras - Toroni - Kalamitsi - Sarti - Vourvourou - Ormos Panagias - Agios Nikolaos - Pirgadikia - Metagitsi - Agios Nikolaos - Akti Elias - FINISH Neas Marmaras.
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Polygyros: Capital of the prefecture of Halkidiki, it is situated in the geographical centre of the region and built at the foot of the lush Mt Holomontas, at an altitude of 550 m.
Nea Moudania: One of the first refugee settlements after the 1922 Asia Minor disaster, it quickly developed into a tourist resort. Today, it is a beautiful large seaside town with a developed seafront and the largest commercial centre in Halkidiki.
Nea Potidea: The first village of the Kassandra peninsular where the canal connects the Thermaic Gulf with the Kassandra Gulf (Toroneos). It is a region with a long history, many sights to see and a large beach that attracts a large number of holiday makers every year.
Hanioti: A picturesque village which is rapidly developing into a popular holiday destination, and offers all the services and comforts of a tourist resort. A wonderful beach, colourful parks and excellent tourist amenities offer guests an unforgettable stay.
Kasandria: A town of 3,500 inhabitants, which transforms into a vibrant 25,000 strong community in the summer months, it stretches between Fourka and Sani and includes such resort developments as Sani, Elani and Siviri.
Taxiarhis: A beautiful settlement that attracts tourists both summer and winter, its traditional guesthouses, marked trails for walks, sightseeing, horse riding and cycling offer many choices for the more active traveller.
Arnaia: A town built in the foothills of the Mt Holomontas, an area that has been recognised by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture for it aesthetic beauty and environmental importance, and has been designated a “Historic Site”.
Olimpiada: Natural beauty and a significant array of archaeological sites - such as Stagira, the birthplace of Aristotle - make this area one of the most interesting destinations in Halkidiki. It is protected by the NATURA 2000 program.
Ierissos: One of the largest towns in Halkidiki, it is renowned for its vast pristine beach that attracts a great many visitors every summer.
Ouranoupoli: The town that joins Mount Athos to the rest of Greece, it harmoniously combines the scenery of the mountains and the coast, and boasts attractive architecture, both modern and traditional. Small boats run daily cruises around the Athos Peninsular.
Neos Marmaras: The most densely populated and well-visited town in the Sithonia peninsular, it combines local colour, natural beauty and tourist development in the most remarkable way.
Porto Karras: A cosmopolitan resort which boasts scenery unique in the world, and its beauty and high quality hospitality distinguish it as one of the top tourist destinations in Europe.
Vourvourou: An area of outstanding natural beauty with ample amenities for tourists, it has a pure white beach at the foot of a lush mountain and nine little islands visible from the shore.
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