Tour of the Alps 2018 Route stage 2: Lavarone

Tour of the Alps 2018 Route stage 2: Lavarone - Alpe di Pampeago

Tuesday, 17 April 2018 - At 145.5 kilometres, the Queen Stage of the Tour of the Alps runs from Lavarone to the Alpe di Pampeago. One intermediate climb and a lot of hills before the riders hit the 7.7 kilometres closing climb with an average gradient of 9.8%, while the final 4 kilometres are over 11%.

The riders set off on a plateau and shortly they descend to a lumpy segment that leads to Pergine Valsugana, which is located at the base of the Passo Redebus. The 15.7 kilometres climb is averaging 6.2%, while the summit is crested at kilometre 51.5. The drop down leads to the Valle di Cembra.

A rolling section of some 50 kilometres – more up than down – runs to the finale. Part of this is a 26 kilometres loop from Molina di Fiemme to Molina di Fiemme, which is spiced up by the Cavalese – a punchy climb of 5.9 kilometres of 3.4% – at the beginning. The riders face this climb twice, but only the first time it counts for the KOM points at the summit after the second time the riders continue to the Alpe de Pampeago.

After almost 5 flat kilometres the Alpe di Pampeago looms. It’s a 7.7 kilometres toil with an average gradient of 9.8%, while the final 4 kilometres are averaging 11%.

Alpe di Pampeago was included in five editions of the Giro d’Italia. It was last climbed during the 2012 edition, Roman Kreuziger climbed to victory ahead of Ryder Hesjedal and Joaquim Rodriguez.

The first three riders on the line take time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while the intermediate sprint (at kilometre 91) comes with 3, 2 and 1 seconds.