The first 74 kilometres are as flat as can be and the the first cluster of hills appear. The Passo di Calbane – or, as the ASO puts it, Côte de Monticino – is 2 kilometres long and averages 7.5%. The route descends to Riolo Terme before the climb to Toranello, the Côte de Gallisterna, adds 1.2 kilometres at 12.8% to the mix.
After plunging down to Imola the Tour continues on the plains of Emilia-Romagna towards Bologna. But just before entering the town a left turn leads to Botteghino di Zocca. The road to the village climbs for 1.9 kilometres at 6.8%. Shortly after the descent the road goes uphill again, this time to Montecalvo, a 2.7 kilometres climb at 7.7%.
The riders cross the line in Bologna to enter two identical laps of 19 kilometer, both featuring an intriguing combo. The San Luca – 1.9 kilometres at 10.6% – and the climb to Montalbano – 1 kilometre at 5.4% – are divided by a 1.5 kilometres downhill. The last 9 kilometres of each lap are half on descent, half on the flat.
The San Luca was the main ingredient in the ITT on the first day of the 2019 Giro d’Italia. Primoz Roglic climbed into pink that day.
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Tour de France 2024 stage 2: routes, profile, more
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