La Course 2017 Route stage 2: Pursuit in Marseille

Saturday, 22 July 2017 - The 2nd stage of La Course is a 22.5 kilometres pursuit in Marseille, that's played out on the same rout as the ITT in de Tour de France. First the women's race, then the men. Only the best 19 riders of the 1st stage of La Course compete the 2nd stage.

Annemiek van Vleuten, winner of the 1st stage in La Course, is the first rider at the start in Marseille. The women leave from the Orange Vélodrome based on the time differences recorded in the race the Col d’Izoard, so Van Vleuten starts 43 seconds ahead of Lizzie Deignan and the rest of the field is more than 1 minute in arrears. The ensuing pursuit is bound to bring a thrilling finale and the first rider to cross the line wins the 2017 edition of La Course.

The route of stage 2 in La Course is mainly flat with the exception of a sharp climb at kilometre 14.4. The ascent to Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica is merely 1.2 kilometre, yet it is averaging 9.1%. The descent is longer, and less steep, before the last kilometres to the line are pan-flat.