After an undulating opener of 71.5 kilometers the riders are back where they started – in Issoire – to enter the circuit. The last 15 kilometres of each lap feature two climbs. First the Côte de Château de Buron (3.2 kilometres at 6.8%) and then the Col de la Croix des Gardes (1.6 kilometres at 5.1%). As the top of the first hill coincides with the base of the second one could argue that it’s actually one combined climb of almost 5 kilometres.
The riders reach the summit of the Croix des Gardes 12 kilometres before the finish line. Most of the remainder goes downhill until the last 3 kilometres are flat.
Issoire is not a regular host of pro-cycling stages – in fact, it’s quite the opposite. The Tour de France finished only once in the town at the confluence of the River Allier and the Couze Pavin, just south of Clermont-Ferrand.
The first three riders on the line gain time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while the intermediate sprint comes with 3, 2 and 1 seconds.
Another interesting read: results 1st stage 2021 Critérium du Dauphiné.
Critérium du Dauphiné 2021 – stage 1: route, profiles, more
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