Leaving Lučica, the flatlands finally loosen their grip. The route moves out of the Požarevac area without drama, then runs through Žabari towards Petrovac na Mlavi. That is where the day changes shape. The Mlava is the local river line, and beyond Petrovac the road becomes hillier, narrower and greener. Not mountain riding, but enough rolling terrain to make the distance count. Towards Despotovac, the stage feels more like central Serbia: woodland, small valleys, villages, fewer dead-straight roads. With time in hand, Manasija Monastery is the obvious detour near Despotovac; the fortified complex was founded by Stefan Lazarević in the 15th century. After that, the route drops towards Paraćin and the Morava corridor. Novi Bračin is a small Ražanj village, with Roman history under the name Praesidium Dasmini.
