World Cycling Championships 2023: Route ITT – men
The riders set off from Stirling on the A811 in westerly direction. The first 12 kilometres are very straightforward. Flat roads, hardly any turns. The route then starts to climb at very moderate gradients towards Thornhill, where a sharp lefthand turn changes the direction to southerly.
The route continues as before, first south, then west again, before the riders the most westerly point close to Kippen. It's virtually a U-turn - so the riders almost come to a standstill - that precedes a climb of 800 metres at 3.2%.
From Kippen the riders descend back to the A811 to follow the road back to Stirling for 3 kilometres. Just after the second intermediate time check, they enter another narrow country road and, shortly, a 400 metres climb at 5% to Gargunnock. The route then continues towards Stirling via Cambusbarron. This section features two hills with an average gradient of 3.7% - the first 300 metres long, the second 600 metres. The third intermediate time check is situated at the latter summit.
Following some twists and turns in Stirling the hardest climb of the day appears inside the last kilometre. The climb to Stirling is 800 metres long and averaging 5.5%, while the second part is paved with cobbles. Not very comfortable on an ITT bike.
There are three intermediate time checks – at kilometre 12.5, at kilometres 34.8, and at kilometre 43.5.
Other interesting reads: results and start list 2023 ITT World Cycling Championships.
