Tour de France 2024 Favourites stage 2: Enter the hilly specialists

foto: Cor VosThe terrain for the 2nd stage of the Tour de France has Mathieu van der Poel's name written all over it. Obviously, there's also his eternal rival, Wout van Aert. And Tom Pidcock. Mads Pedersen. And Alberto Bettiol. And... you get the idea. (Slideshow route/profile)

Doubtless, this 198.7 kilometres route with 1,850 metres of climbing suits the characteristics of World Champion Mathieu van der Poel perfectly. After a flat 70 kilometres run-up, the riders face seven short and sharp climbs. They’re similar to the ones you find in Van der Poel’s playground, Flanders, but without the cobbles.

In order of appearance, the 2nd stage of the Tour serves up the Côte de Monticino (2 kilometres at 7.5%), Côte de Gallisterna (1.2 kilometres at 12.8%), Côte de Botteghino di Zocca (1.9 kilometres at 6.9%), Côte de Montecalvo (2.7 kilometres at 7.7%), and then, after entering the final circuit, a double kicker up the Côte de San Luca (1.9 kilometres at 10.6%).

Following the last climb to the Sanctuary of San Luca, the riders stay at that altitude for 2 kilometres before a 3 kilometres drop takes them onto a flat run-in of 5 kilometres.

All in all, it’s safe to say that the route is similar to a Spring Classic, but in a Grand Tour. A sprint from a small group seems to be the most likely outcome.

Favourites 2nd stage 2024 Tour de France

*** Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, Mads Pedersen
** Tom Pidcock, Alberto Bettiol, Michael Matthews, Tadej Pogacar
* Primoz Roglic, Biniam Girmay, Stephen Williams, Fred Wright

Another interesting read: route 2nd stage 2024 Tour de France.