World Cycling Championships 2020 Imola: Route Road Race – men

Sunday 27 September - The road race at the Worlds in Imola is 258.2 kilometres long and takes in an altitude gain of almost 4,500 metres. A hilly lap of 28.8 kilometres, featuring two short and sharps climbs, is ridden nine times. So, effectually, the race serves eighteen ascents.

Start and finish are at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, but the major part of the race takes place on narrow roads to the south of Imola. Obviously, the last kilometres of each lap are on the race track.

Shortly after leaving the Autodromo the road rises false flat on the Via Bergullo. After a short descent a much more brutal ascent kicks in on the Via Mazzolano. The 1.5 kilometres climb at 8.7% includes a section at 13% in the first half, while the route continues to climb false flat after the toughest part.

The riders fly downhill to Riolo Terme to turn right in the village. A few kilometres later another righthander takes them onto the Cima Calisperna. Steeply rising from the valley, this climb is not unlike La Redoute from Liège-Bastogne-Liège. The ascent is just 1.3 kilometres long, but the average gradient sits at 10.9%, while it ramps up to 14%.

There are 11.5 kilometres between the top of the Cima Calisperna and the finish line on the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari. This part of the route goes mainly downhill.

Other interesting reads: results and start list of the road race at the Worlds in Imola 2020.