Following the start in the centre of Bradford riders make their way north. They move through Shipley and Otley before the first climb of the lead-in to Harrogate is the short and sharp Norwood Edge. The route continues to Pateley Bridge and on to the Lofthouse climb with its maximum gradient of almost 19%.
A predominantly flat section via Masham, West Tanfield to Ripon leads the riders onto the testing Harrogate circuit, which they enter after 105 kilometres.
The first uphill is part of the long straight on Otley Road. It climbs 1.6 kilometres at 3.4%, while the road continues a fairly tight right-hander, which leads onto Pot Bank. Via a couple of steep downhill twists and turns the route crosses the Oak Beck stream to return to climbing.
This scenario repeats itself on Penny Pot Lane. The route descends to the Oak Beck stream again before heading up the other side. It is a short but steep pull up. And on it goes, back to the line in Harrogate, which is a section of 5 kilometer with some false flats, including the last 600 metres.
The women’s road race tackles the local circuit three times.
Other interesting reads: results and start list of the women’s road race at the Worlds in Yorkshire.
World Cycling Championships 2019 Yorkshire – women: route, profiles, more
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