The Tour of Britain sets off against the backdrop of the Pembrey Country Park in the southwest of Wales. On rolling roads the riders head for the first KOM on Bethlehem Hill, which is crested at kilometre 54. The lumpy course continues to the old village of Defynnog. Crested just after the halfway mark, this is the second KOM of the day.
The second half of the route is more of the same, although it may be argued the route is a little less lumpy. If that’s the case, the 800 metres of Belmont Hill make up for it with its average uphill slope of 9%. So this is the perfect place for a puncheur to strike. The first rider over the top is in pole position to win the race. Following a flying descent the last kilometres are played out on the flat.
Last year, the 1st stage of the Tour of Britain took place on similar terrain. Yet, the last hill was crested with 25 kilometres out and Caleb Ewan sprinted to victory. The last eleven opening stages of the Tour of Britain all ended with a fast finishers showdown. What is it going to be this time?
The first three riders on the line take time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while the intermediate sprints (at kilometre 21, at kilometre 103, and at kilometre 151) comes with 3, 2 and 1 seconds.
Read also: results/race report 1st stage 2018 Tour of Britain.
Tour of Britain 2018 stage 1: Route maps, height profiles, and more
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