World Cycling Championships 2017 Bergen, Norway: Route ITT – women

Tuesday, 19 September 2017 - The course of the ITT during the Worlds for women amounts to 21.1 kilometres. The route takes in a few small climbs, while the riders face Birkelundsbakken halfway, which is an 1.4 kilometre climb at 7.2%. Following a descent the last 5.5 kilometres are on the flat.

The race sets off from Grieghallen - or Grieg Hall, a concert hall that's named after Bergen-born composer Edvard Grieg. Following a few minor climbs the women hit Birkelundsbakken at kilometre 8. This is the toughest task in the route: 1.4 kilometre at 7.2%, while the steepest ramp goes up at 16%. A rolling descent of approximately 7 kilometres runs back to Bergen before the last 5.5 kilometres are on the flat.

The first intermediate is at kilometre 3.2 and the second atop Birkelundsbakken. Time check three is shortly after the descent with 4.4 kilometres left to race. The finish is at Festplassen square.

Amber Neben is title holder. Last year, she bested Ellen van Dijk and Katrin Garfoot, although the route in Qatar was totally different - namely flat. Two years ago the Worlds took place in Richmond on a course that was similar to Bergen and Linda Villumsen powered to the win ahead of Anna van der Breggen.