On paper, crosswinds and echelons are the only possible things that could stand in the way of a bunch sprint. After all, the entire race is played out near the coast, mostly on exposed terrain. The only other possible obstacles appear early in the race. The climbs in Freston (900 metres at 3%) and Holbrook (500 metres at 3.2%) are done and dusted before kilometre 50.
The clockwise loop of stage 5 takes the riders through Suffolk’s quintessentially villages such as Hadleigh, Needham Market, Stowmarket, Framlingham, Leiston and Woodbridge.
Positioning will be essential when it comes to a sprint, as two 90 degrees lefthanders mark the last 600 metres.
Ride the route yourself? Download GPX stage 5.
Another interesting read: results 5th stage 2023 Tour of Britain.
Tour of Britain 2023 – stage 5: route, profile, more
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