Situated just a few weeks before the Tour de France, Route du Sud tackles some of the toughest terrain in the Pyrenees in an event with an impressive list of winners.
The race may be short but packs a ferocious punch as the peloton head into the high mountains, including an epic third stage featuring three first category climbs.
One of four WorldTour teams in the event, Team Sky arrive in France with a six-man team, four of which are resuming racing following a tough but memorable Giro d’Italia.
The four-day race has something for everyone, with chances for sprinters, puncheurs and mountain specialists to shine in France.
Stages
Thursday 13 June – Stage one: Castres to Mirande, 209km
Short, sharp climbs punctuate the parcours on the opening day of racing during a stage which could produce some flat-out racing from the gun. There will be a fight to get into the break as the race begins with a third-category climb in the shape of the Cote de Lautrec. Entering the Haute-Garonne region the peloton are afforded some brief respite before six quick ramps, the middle ascent – the Cote des Berges – paying out mountains points. A tricky finale will alert the opportunistic attackers in the bunch, with a number of tricky climbs to be negotiated to decide the first leader of the race.
Friday 14 June – Stage two: Villecomtal-sur-Arros to Villecomtal-sur-Arros, 182.8km
On paper the second stage appears similar to the opening test but a less ferocious finale should appeal to those sprinters who have packed their climbing legs. The race heads out of the central hub of Villecomtal-sur-Arros, straight into an opening barrage of climbs. After a sprint point in Mirande the riders work back around to the first passage across the line. A pair of category three climbs – the Cote de Mielan (102.8km) and Cote de Duffort (120.5km) - will soften up the legs before the run to the finish. The road gradually ramps up before a quick-fire descent down to the line.
Saturday 15 June – Stage three: Izaourt to Bagneres-de-Luchon, 173.5km
The undisputed queen stage and GC day of the race takes place over epic mountain terrain made famous by the Tour de France. Another loop, the stage takes in three of the Pyrenees’ finest, with an opening jaunt up Peyragudes, cresting the 1646-metre ascent after just 44km. A steep drop down into Loudenvielle leads the riders immediately into the next leg-burning ascent. The Col de Val Louron Azet (65.7km) is the middle test and over its summit sees the riders swoop down a lengthy descent. After a final feed in Montegut the riders roll up to the biggest climb of the race, the Port de Bales. Topping out 20km from the finish, all that remains is a rapid descent down into Bagneres-de-Luchon to likely decide the race winner.
Sunday 16 June – Stage four: Saint-Gaudens to L’Isle-Jourdain, 149.2km
The race comes to a head with what appears to be the most cut-and-dry stage for the sprinters. The day begins with a gradual downhill drag into Martires-Tolosane before two quick third category climbs. With the Cote d’Alan and Cote d’Aurignac done and dusted the riders continue with a slight downward trajectory through Gers and onto the finishing circuit. A brief undulating section should not get in the way of the sprinters and a bunch kick.
Team Sky history
The team have competed at Route du Sud on one previous occasion which saw Peter Kennaugh deliver one of his best performances to date, taking third overall in a route which included the famous Col du Tourmalet. Current Team Sky rider Vasil Kiryienka won that edition of the race whilst riding in Movistar colours.
http://www.teamsky.com/article/0,27290,29037_8772419,00.html
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