Tour de France 2015 Route stage 3: Antwerp (B) - Mur de Huy (B)

Monday, July 6, 2015 – It’s up to the puncheurs after a stage taking the riders in 154 kilometres from Antwerp to Huy. The riders are in Belgium and the finish at the Wall of Huy is notorious in the Flèche Wallonne with a steepest section of 19%.

Tour de France 2015 stage 3: Antwerp - Mur de Huy

After the time trialist on day one and (maybe) the crosswinds experts on day two, the puncheurs are the ones to make a difference in stage 3. Starting in Antwerp it’s about halfway riders are on holy cycling ground to the Belgians when they pass the hamlet of Kiezegem, birth plance of Eddy Merckx.

En route riders are to crest the same hills as in recent Flèche Wallonne. With 109 kilometres done the Côte de Bohissau (2,4 kilometres at 5,5%) lays waiting and the finale is a perfect copy of Ardennes classic with Côte d’Ereffe (2.1 kilometres at 5%), Côte de Cherave (1.3 kilometre at 8.1%) and the finish atop of the Wall Huy.

For years the Wall is the feared executioner in the Flèche Wallonne. The winding road through the outskirts of the old town passes by seven chapels in 1.3 kilometres. That’s ample opportunity to say your prayers. The average gradient of the Wall is 9.6%, but that’s just part of the story since the steepest section peaks at almost 20% and is reached after 1 kilometre of punching hard.

The winner takes 10 bonification seconds, whilst number two and three are up for boni also.