The first half of the time trial course is virtually flat, so this is the section for the riders who can push a big gear. After approximately 14 kilometres the first uphill appears. Whipley Bank is 2.1 kilometres long and the average gradient sits at 4.8%. The route then descends to the foot of the steepest climb of the day – 800 metres at 10% – before another descent leads towards Hampsthwaite. Just before the riders move through the village a 3 kilometres inclination at 3% begins.
In Harrogate the riders face two false flat sections. With 1.6 kilometres to go they tackle the first energy sapping stretch of 300 metres, while the last one is even more tedious. A steep uphill kick 600 metres before the line leads onto the home straight, which keeps dragging on at 2 to 3% before the riders finally cross the finish.
The intermediate time check is situated at kilometre 14.2.
Title defender Annemiek van Vleuten will be the last rider to leave at 16.22 local time (BST).
Other interesting reads:
– live report
– starting times
– favourites
– all riders
World Cycling Championships 2019 Yorkshire – ITT women: route, profiles, more
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