Benelux Tour 2021 stage 6: Ottignies - Houffalize
Saturday 4 September - The longest stage of the Benelux Tour amounts to 207.6 kilometres. The riders tackle ten short and sharp hills between the start in Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve and finish in Houffalize. Liège–Bastogne–Liège á la Benelux Tour.
The predecessors of the Benelux Tour finished three times in Houffalize in the last six years and on all occassions Tim Wellens to0k the spoils. In 2015, he soloed to triumph; in 2017, he bested Tom Dumoulin in a sprint-à-deux; and in 2019, he outsprinted Marc Hirschi and Laurens De Plus.
The route of stage 6 is almost a carbon copy of those editions. After a 153.2 kilometres run-up – featuring the Côte de Magerat and Côte de Bérismenil – the riders cross the finish line for the first time. Two hilly circuits are to follow.
Taking in four ascents, the local lap is 26.8 kilometres long. The toughest climb appears at the start of each round, as the riders leave Houffalize via the Côte de Saint-Roch, which is a 1,1 kilometres ramp at 11%. The route continues to the Rue Bois des Mines – or, ‘Road of the Wooden Mines’ – for a 1,2 kilometres climb at 8%.
The next test appears 8 kilometres later near La Chouffe brewery. The Côte Achouffe is 800 metres long and the averages 8%. There is hardly time for a breather at the top, as the narrow Le Vieux Chemin – 400 metres at 5% – begins 3.5 kilometres later. The last climb is crested 11 kilometres before Houffalize.
Starting 21.1 kilometres before the finish, the Golden Kilometre serves three opportunities to win time bonuses of 3, 2 and 1 seconds within 1,000 metres. The first three riders on the line gain 10, 6 and 4 seconds.
Another interesting read: results 6th stage 2021 Benelux Tour.
Benelux Tour 2021 – stage 6: routes, profiles, more
Click on the images to zoom
Watch the highlights of recent races here:
Related articles Overview - Benelux Tour 20 Solo triumph Mohoric, Colbrelli wins GC - Benelux Tour 20 Colbrelli solos into leader's jersey in Ardennes - Benelux Tour 20 Sprint triumph Ewan, Küng new leader - Benelux Tour 20 Sprint victory Merlier, Bissegger keeps GC lead - Benelux Tour 20 Van der Hoorn wins from breakaway, Bissegger still leader - Benelux Tour 20 Bissegger moves into GC lead with ITT win - Benelux Tour 20 Start times Lelystad ITT - Benelux Tour 20 Merlier wins echelon-marked 1st stage - Benelux Tour 20 stage 1: Surhuisterveen - Dokkum - Benelux Tour 20 stage 2: ITT Lelystad - Benelux Tour 20 stage 3: Essen - Hoogerheide - Benelux Tour 20 stage 4: Aalter - Ardooie - Benelux Tour 20 stage 5: Riemst - Bilzen - Benelux Tour 20 stage 7: Namen - Geraardsbergen - Benelux Tour 20 More articles Critérium du Dauphiné 2023: The Route
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023: Riders
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023: GC Favourites
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023 Route stage 1: Chambon-sur-Lac - Chambon-sur-Lac
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023 Route stage 2: Brassac-les-Mines - La Chaise-Dieu
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023 Route stage 3: Monistrol-sur-Loire - La Coteau
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023 Route stage 4: Cours - Belmont-de-la-Loire
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023 Route stage 5: Cormoranche-sur-Saône – Salins-les-Bains
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023 Route stage 6: Nantua - Crest-Voland
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023 Route stage 7: Porte-de-Savoie - Col de la Croix de Fer
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023 Route stage 8: Le Pont-de-Claix - La Bastille, Grenoble
Tour de Suisse 2023: The Route
Tour de Suisse 2023: Riders
Tour de Suisse 2023 Route stage 1: Einsiedeln - Einsiedeln
Tour de Suisse 2023 Route stage 2: Beromünster - Nottwil
Tour de Suisse 2023 Route stage 3: Tafers - Villars-sur-Ollon
Tour de Suisse 2023 Route stage 4: Monthey - Leukerbad
Cycling Calendar 2023
Tour de France 2023: The Route
Tour de France 2023: Riders
Tour de France 2023: GC Favourites
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 1: Bilbao - Bilbao
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 2: Vitoria-Gasteiz - San Sebastián
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 3: Amorebieta-Etxano - Bayonne
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 4: Dax - Nogaro
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 5: Pau - Laruns
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 6: Tarbes - Cauterets
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 7: Mont-de-Marsan - Bordeaux
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 8: Libourne - Limoges
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 9: Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat - Puy de Dôme
Like our Facebook page and stay on top of all pro-race information!