The course resembles the last stage of the recent editions of Paris-Nice. On all occasions the mountainous route through the interior of the Provence resulted in exciting races.
The 2nd stage commences with a prolonged false flat to the deserted village La Bollinette. That’s were the first proper climb of the Tour de France kicks in. The Col de Colmiane is 16.3 kilometres long and the average gradient sits at 6.3%.
The riders drop down to La Bollène-Vésubie to tackle the impressive Col de Turini, which served as finish climb to the penultimate stage of Paris-Nice 2019. Daniel Felipe Martínez took the spoils 6 seconds ahead of Miguel Ángel López with Nicolas Edet and Simon Yates another 14 seconds further behind. They were the best riders in a huge breakaway.
The Turini Pass is 14.9 kilometres long and slopes at 7.3%. The mountain road is narrow and features a dizzying series of hairpins, while the summit lies at an elevation of 1,609 metres.
A downhill of almost 50 kilometres takes the riders down to sea level in Nice before the Col d’Èze looms. The 7.8 kilometres ascent at 7% is crested with 33 kilometres remaining, but don’t be surprised if the the battle for the stage win is raging as early as this famous ascent.
The riders drop back down into Nice. They move through the finish on the Promenade des Anglais before turning back into the mountains for one last time. The Col des Quatre Chemins is actually the first part of the Col d’Èze, so this is familiar terrain. The ascent is 5.5 kilometres at 5.5% and the first three riders over the summit gain time bonuses of 8, 5 and 2 seconds.
Instead of turning left to the Col d’Èze the riders take a lefthander and fly down a 9 kilometres descent into Nice. The finish location on the Promenade des Anglais is overlooking the Mediterranean.
The first three riders on the line gain time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds. Furthermore, as mentioned, the first three pilots over the Col des Quatre Chemins are awarded 8, 5 and 2 seconds.
Another interesting read: results/report 2nd stage 2020 Tour de France.
Tour de France 2020 stage 2: routes, profiles, more
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