Stage 2 serves a trying test with a relentless series of energy-sapping uphills. The climbing gets underway as early as kilometre 7 when the riders tackle the Côte de Moussages, which is a 4 kilometres incline with an average gradient of 6.5%. The route continues in undulating fashion to the Côte de la Martel (2.4 kilometres at 5.7%), Côte de Cheylade (4.2 kilometres at 6%), Côte de la Tourbière du Jolan (2 kilometres at 5.5%) and the Côte de Chavanon (3.6 kilometres at 5%). Not hard in themselves, but as the route tackles them in short succession it will wear the riders – and especially the sprinters – out.
A long downhill takes the riders to Grenier-Montgon. A period of relative calm lasts for about 30 kilometres before the second section of uphills begins with the Côte de la Baraque. This 3.9 kilometres ascent at 5.3% is a taster and following a short drop the Côte de la Barbatte appears. The 5.8 kilometres climb at 7% is crested with 42.5 kilometres remaining, while the Côte de Saint-Victor sur Arlanc is the ultimate uphill test. Arguably, this is the hardest climb of the day – 3.1 kilometres at 9.4% – with its peak inside the last 18 kilometres.
The finale takes place on a rolling section. A downslope begins 3 kilometres before the line and the last 500 metres run false flat uphill.
Another interesting read: results race report 2nd stage 2019 Critérium du Dauphiné.
Critérium du Dauphiné 2019 stage 2: route, profiles, more
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