- Mar 24, 2011
- 10,524
- 1,923
- 25,680
We're back on track. Tomorrow will be stage day, Monday for the votes. I will post stage 19 of all participants (besides one) soon so that I don't forget.
JUDGE 1:
Gigs_98 T: 4 C: 5
With the Ventoux looming, I'm not sure crosswinds are that likely. I love using the Mont Ventoux this way, but I'm not sure this stage accomplishes much more than using it this way in a regular stage.
Brullnux T: 2 C: 3
Not very special really, but it gets a bit more interesting toward the end
Rghysens T: 2 C: 4
A lot of things going on culturally. Technically, not so much.
mb2612 T: 3 C: 4
The final looks pretty interesting. Culturally very interesting as well
JUDGE 2:
Gigs_98 T: 3 C: 4
As ultra stages go, it's a bit middling. I think you did a good job of explaining the logic behind the first ultra stage, but a one-climb ultra-stage is a bit of a waste of the concept imo. Great cultural points with the cities passed through and the Pont du Gard.
Brullnux T: 3 C: 2
Although I have a soft spot for Mont-Ral (don't really know why) this is a fairly nondescript transitional stage unless that uncategorized bump at the end is a bit steeper than anticipated.
Rghysens T: 2 C: 3
This doesn't especially enthuse me, it's a pure transitional stage. It will be stronger than your standard flat stage as there will be some selection, and there are decent cultural points, but nothing that enthuses me too much.
mb2612 T: 4 C: 3
This is the best of the batch stage design-wise, reversing your usual trend of focusing on the cultural points, as we have some relatively obscure towns here. The first climb ensures a strong break while the inconsistent run-in should hopefully create some stage-hunting action late on.
JUDGE 3:
Gigs_98 T: 4 C: 5
Pretty nice stage, I like Ventoux in an ultra stage. This area is rich with cultural highlights, and you have hit them. Including Pont du Gard. Nice.
Brullnux T: 3 C: 3
Solid transition stage. Nice length so final 60km should be interesting. North-east Spain is rich with Rom history
Rghysens T: 2 C: 3
I've rewarded you. When your stages have been good. But this doesn't really rock my world.
mb2612 T: 4 C: 4
Pretty interesting stage. That sequence at the end would be fierce I think. One again, you have done a good job of showcasing a region's Roman heritage
JUDGE 4:
Gigs_98 T: 4 C: 5
Great culturally, but could be better technically. An ultra-stage with only one categorized climb...
Brullnux T: 3 C: 3
Solid... but nothing more.
Rghysens T: 2 C: 4
Very good on the cultural side.
mb2612 T: 3 C: 4
The finish should be fun, and I love the historical setting.
CLASSIFICATION FOR STAGE 18
Gigs_98: 34
mb2612: 29
Rghysens: 22
Brullnux: 22
CLASSIFICATION AFTER STAGE 18:
rghysens: 699
mb2612: 658
Gigs_98: 627
Brullnux: 607
JUDGE 1:
Gigs_98 T: 4 C: 5
With the Ventoux looming, I'm not sure crosswinds are that likely. I love using the Mont Ventoux this way, but I'm not sure this stage accomplishes much more than using it this way in a regular stage.
Brullnux T: 2 C: 3
Not very special really, but it gets a bit more interesting toward the end
Rghysens T: 2 C: 4
A lot of things going on culturally. Technically, not so much.
mb2612 T: 3 C: 4
The final looks pretty interesting. Culturally very interesting as well
JUDGE 2:
Gigs_98 T: 3 C: 4
As ultra stages go, it's a bit middling. I think you did a good job of explaining the logic behind the first ultra stage, but a one-climb ultra-stage is a bit of a waste of the concept imo. Great cultural points with the cities passed through and the Pont du Gard.
Brullnux T: 3 C: 2
Although I have a soft spot for Mont-Ral (don't really know why) this is a fairly nondescript transitional stage unless that uncategorized bump at the end is a bit steeper than anticipated.
Rghysens T: 2 C: 3
This doesn't especially enthuse me, it's a pure transitional stage. It will be stronger than your standard flat stage as there will be some selection, and there are decent cultural points, but nothing that enthuses me too much.
mb2612 T: 4 C: 3
This is the best of the batch stage design-wise, reversing your usual trend of focusing on the cultural points, as we have some relatively obscure towns here. The first climb ensures a strong break while the inconsistent run-in should hopefully create some stage-hunting action late on.
JUDGE 3:
Gigs_98 T: 4 C: 5
Pretty nice stage, I like Ventoux in an ultra stage. This area is rich with cultural highlights, and you have hit them. Including Pont du Gard. Nice.
Brullnux T: 3 C: 3
Solid transition stage. Nice length so final 60km should be interesting. North-east Spain is rich with Rom history
Rghysens T: 2 C: 3
I've rewarded you. When your stages have been good. But this doesn't really rock my world.
mb2612 T: 4 C: 4
Pretty interesting stage. That sequence at the end would be fierce I think. One again, you have done a good job of showcasing a region's Roman heritage
JUDGE 4:
Gigs_98 T: 4 C: 5
Great culturally, but could be better technically. An ultra-stage with only one categorized climb...
Brullnux T: 3 C: 3
Solid... but nothing more.
Rghysens T: 2 C: 4
Very good on the cultural side.
mb2612 T: 3 C: 4
The finish should be fun, and I love the historical setting.
CLASSIFICATION FOR STAGE 18
Gigs_98: 34
mb2612: 29
Rghysens: 22
Brullnux: 22
CLASSIFICATION AFTER STAGE 18:
rghysens: 699
mb2612: 658
Gigs_98: 627
Brullnux: 607
- Mar 24, 2011
- 10,524
- 1,923
- 25,680
rghysens
Mare Nostrum stage 19: Augusta Taurinorum – Aquae: 289.5km, high mountains
After a transfer across Piemonte, the race caravan arrives in Roman Augusta Taurinorum.
The Taurini were an ancient Celto-Ligurian Alpine people, who occupied the upper valley of the Po River.
In 218 BC, they were attacked by Hannibal as he was allied with their long-standing enemies, the Insubres. The Taurini chief town was captured by Hannibal's forces after a three-day siege.
In the 1st century BC, probably 28 BC, the Romans created a military camp (Castra Taurinorum), later dedicated to Augustus (Augusta Taurinorum). The typical Roman street grid can still be seen in the modern city, especially in the neighbourhood known as the Quadrilatero Romano. Via Garibaldi traces the exact path of the Roman city's decumanus which began at the Porta Decumani, later incorporated into the Castello or Palazzo Madama. The Porta Palatina, on the north side of the current city centre, is still preserved. Remains of the Roman-period theater are preserved in the area of the Manica Nuova.
From Augusta Taurinorum, the course goes west and reaches Segusio after 42km. This will be the site of today’s only Roman landmark sprint. Current Susa, due to its position at the foot of the Alps and commanding the roads to several mountain passes, was a strategic important city.
Julius Caesar, f.e., passed here on his way to the col de Montgenèvre and the conquest of Gaul, while the future emperor Constantine I descended the Col du Mont-Cenis to Susa with his armies to fight his opponent Maxentius.
When emperor Augustus subdued the Alpine tribes at the very end of the 1st century BC, its king Cottius entered the service of the emperor as “friend and ally”, a feat remembered by the building of a commemorative arch.
Later the city became the capital of the Roman province Alpes Cottiae, an amphitheatre was built while an aqueduct supplied it with fresh water. The city was protected by a wall with several gates.
The stage begins in earnest after the Roman landmark sprint, with the first climb of the day: the Col du Mont-Cenis. This will probably see the forming of a breakaway, as it is followed by an almost 90km long downhill. The second climb of the day, the Col du grand Cucheron is less long or high, but gradually steepens towards the end. This one too, is followed by a rather long descent and some flat roads. The closing trinity of climbs however, is nicely chained, with barely any flat in between and above all: they are rather steep. First there’s the Col du Granier, from its steepest, eastern, side, then the Col de l’Épine and as dessert the fearsome Mont du Chat, averaging almost 11% over its final 8km. The descent leads to Aquae, a Roman spa town, with some ancient edifices like an arch and a temple dedicated to the godess Diana.
Climbs:
Col du Mont Cenis: km67; 25km @ 6.4%; HC (Plan des Fontainettes)
Col du Grand Cucheron: km172; 11.7km @ 6.9%; 1st cat
Col du Granier: km215; 10.1km @ 8.4%; 1st cat
Col de l’Epine: km245; 8.5km @ 8%; 1st cat
Mont du Chat: km270; 12km @ 9.1%; HC
Roman landmark sprint:
Segusio: km42
Total distance raced: 4146.5km
Mare Nostrum stage 19: Augusta Taurinorum – Aquae: 289.5km, high mountains
After a transfer across Piemonte, the race caravan arrives in Roman Augusta Taurinorum.
The Taurini were an ancient Celto-Ligurian Alpine people, who occupied the upper valley of the Po River.
In 218 BC, they were attacked by Hannibal as he was allied with their long-standing enemies, the Insubres. The Taurini chief town was captured by Hannibal's forces after a three-day siege.
In the 1st century BC, probably 28 BC, the Romans created a military camp (Castra Taurinorum), later dedicated to Augustus (Augusta Taurinorum). The typical Roman street grid can still be seen in the modern city, especially in the neighbourhood known as the Quadrilatero Romano. Via Garibaldi traces the exact path of the Roman city's decumanus which began at the Porta Decumani, later incorporated into the Castello or Palazzo Madama. The Porta Palatina, on the north side of the current city centre, is still preserved. Remains of the Roman-period theater are preserved in the area of the Manica Nuova.
From Augusta Taurinorum, the course goes west and reaches Segusio after 42km. This will be the site of today’s only Roman landmark sprint. Current Susa, due to its position at the foot of the Alps and commanding the roads to several mountain passes, was a strategic important city.
Julius Caesar, f.e., passed here on his way to the col de Montgenèvre and the conquest of Gaul, while the future emperor Constantine I descended the Col du Mont-Cenis to Susa with his armies to fight his opponent Maxentius.
When emperor Augustus subdued the Alpine tribes at the very end of the 1st century BC, its king Cottius entered the service of the emperor as “friend and ally”, a feat remembered by the building of a commemorative arch.
Later the city became the capital of the Roman province Alpes Cottiae, an amphitheatre was built while an aqueduct supplied it with fresh water. The city was protected by a wall with several gates.
The stage begins in earnest after the Roman landmark sprint, with the first climb of the day: the Col du Mont-Cenis. This will probably see the forming of a breakaway, as it is followed by an almost 90km long downhill. The second climb of the day, the Col du grand Cucheron is less long or high, but gradually steepens towards the end. This one too, is followed by a rather long descent and some flat roads. The closing trinity of climbs however, is nicely chained, with barely any flat in between and above all: they are rather steep. First there’s the Col du Granier, from its steepest, eastern, side, then the Col de l’Épine and as dessert the fearsome Mont du Chat, averaging almost 11% over its final 8km. The descent leads to Aquae, a Roman spa town, with some ancient edifices like an arch and a temple dedicated to the godess Diana.
Climbs:
Col du Mont Cenis: km67; 25km @ 6.4%; HC (Plan des Fontainettes)
Col du Grand Cucheron: km172; 11.7km @ 6.9%; 1st cat
Col du Granier: km215; 10.1km @ 8.4%; 1st cat
Col de l’Epine: km245; 8.5km @ 8%; 1st cat
Mont du Chat: km270; 12km @ 9.1%; HC
Roman landmark sprint:
Segusio: km42
Total distance raced: 4146.5km
- Mar 24, 2011
- 10,524
- 1,923
- 25,680
Gigs_98
CONSTANTINOPOLIS-ROMA stage 19: Pedona - Brigantium (180 km)
After the penultimate restday one of the most brutal mountain stages of the whole race takes place. Generally, when I saw that Brigantium (Briançon) was already a city in the Roman era it was clear to me that I have to make this stage, since in a normal gt the 4 climbs of today might be too hard, but hey, in a stage where I can make a 500 km long cobbles stage this seems almost like another restday.
The start of the stage is in Pedona (Borgo San Dalmazzo). The first few kilometers are flat...this might not seem very special to you but in this stage flat kilometers are definitely by far more rare than ascending or descending ones. The first climb of the day is the Colle Esischie, a pass about one kilometer under the top of the more famous Passo della Fauniera. And although this last kilometer is missing this hardly matters since this climb is brutal anyway and still one of the hardest passes of Italy.
After a very difficult descent and absolutely no flat, the riders tackle the next super hard pass, the Colle di Sampeyre.
After the next technical descent the riders pass the town Sampeyre where the only intermediate sprint of the day takes place. And once again there is basically no flat before the next climb, the Colle dell'Agnello, although at least this time the climb starts a little bit easier...before the riders arrive on the last 9 kilometers of the climb, with an average gradient of 10%. Not exactly an easy climb too.
Besides its difficulty this pass is also culturally interesting, since it already existed in the Roman age. It's even possible that this is the pass used by Hannibal on his way to attack Rome in the 2nd Punic War.
The descent of this climb is relatively easy and I doubt it can be crucial in any cycling race. Before the next climb starts there is a short bump, so the around 3 kilometers between the descent and the next ascent still aren't flat, and I decided to put the Golden mile there, to encourage attacks on the Agnello.
The last climb of the day the Col d'Izoard, is clearly the easiest one of the day and still definitely a HC climb, which tells you a lot about this stage. The ascent starts rather easy but gets steeper with a section of 7 kilometers at over 8.6% in the middle of the climb. This is generally a very hard climb, but after 3 absolutely brutal passes already in the legs of the riders, this ascent could cause even more carnage than usually. Moreover the next stage is an easier one, so the riders don't have anything to hold back, and some riders often have a bad day after a restday, therefore the race could already become exciting very early.
The finish is in Brigantium (Briançon) after a short ramp which leads to the finish line, so there might even be time gaps if there are still riders together after the Izoard. Brigantium was the 2nd French town where Romans arrived. The first one was Alpis Cottia (Mont Genèvre), the pass in the east of Brigantium, but this pass is almost on the border between France and Italy so one could even argue that Brigantium was the first one. I thought about finishing the stage in Alpis Cottia, but I wasn't sure if there was already a settlement on the pass back then, so I wasn't sure if it would be allowed to finish there. Probably because this was one of the earliest Roman towns in France this city was also well known, therefore it appeared in texts of Ancient writers like Ptolemy and Strabo. Since the Alpis Cottia was used as the main road on the way from Rome to Spain, Romans like Pompey and Julius Caesar passed Brigantium.
CONSTANTINOPOLIS-ROMA stage 19: Pedona - Brigantium (180 km)
After the penultimate restday one of the most brutal mountain stages of the whole race takes place. Generally, when I saw that Brigantium (Briançon) was already a city in the Roman era it was clear to me that I have to make this stage, since in a normal gt the 4 climbs of today might be too hard, but hey, in a stage where I can make a 500 km long cobbles stage this seems almost like another restday.
The start of the stage is in Pedona (Borgo San Dalmazzo). The first few kilometers are flat...this might not seem very special to you but in this stage flat kilometers are definitely by far more rare than ascending or descending ones. The first climb of the day is the Colle Esischie, a pass about one kilometer under the top of the more famous Passo della Fauniera. And although this last kilometer is missing this hardly matters since this climb is brutal anyway and still one of the hardest passes of Italy.
After a very difficult descent and absolutely no flat, the riders tackle the next super hard pass, the Colle di Sampeyre.
After the next technical descent the riders pass the town Sampeyre where the only intermediate sprint of the day takes place. And once again there is basically no flat before the next climb, the Colle dell'Agnello, although at least this time the climb starts a little bit easier...before the riders arrive on the last 9 kilometers of the climb, with an average gradient of 10%. Not exactly an easy climb too.
Besides its difficulty this pass is also culturally interesting, since it already existed in the Roman age. It's even possible that this is the pass used by Hannibal on his way to attack Rome in the 2nd Punic War.
The descent of this climb is relatively easy and I doubt it can be crucial in any cycling race. Before the next climb starts there is a short bump, so the around 3 kilometers between the descent and the next ascent still aren't flat, and I decided to put the Golden mile there, to encourage attacks on the Agnello.
The last climb of the day the Col d'Izoard, is clearly the easiest one of the day and still definitely a HC climb, which tells you a lot about this stage. The ascent starts rather easy but gets steeper with a section of 7 kilometers at over 8.6% in the middle of the climb. This is generally a very hard climb, but after 3 absolutely brutal passes already in the legs of the riders, this ascent could cause even more carnage than usually. Moreover the next stage is an easier one, so the riders don't have anything to hold back, and some riders often have a bad day after a restday, therefore the race could already become exciting very early.
The finish is in Brigantium (Briançon) after a short ramp which leads to the finish line, so there might even be time gaps if there are still riders together after the Izoard. Brigantium was the 2nd French town where Romans arrived. The first one was Alpis Cottia (Mont Genèvre), the pass in the east of Brigantium, but this pass is almost on the border between France and Italy so one could even argue that Brigantium was the first one. I thought about finishing the stage in Alpis Cottia, but I wasn't sure if there was already a settlement on the pass back then, so I wasn't sure if it would be allowed to finish there. Probably because this was one of the earliest Roman towns in France this city was also well known, therefore it appeared in texts of Ancient writers like Ptolemy and Strabo. Since the Alpis Cottia was used as the main road on the way from Rome to Spain, Romans like Pompey and Julius Caesar passed Brigantium.
- Mar 24, 2011
- 10,524
- 1,923
- 25,680
mb2612
Via Roma Stage 19 Ancyra (Ankara) --> Pessinous (Ballıhisar) 161 km
"From that time I surpassed all others in influence, yet my official powers were no greater than those of my colleague in office." -Augustus
Stage 19 of Via Roma starts in the town of Ancyra, which was conquered by Augustus in 25 BC. It was the major provincial capital of Galatia, with a population of around 200,000 people at its peak. A confluence of road gave Ancyra an excellent trading location, however this also made it vulnerable to raids, and the city was ransacked several times in the 3rd century, and the Romans even lost control of Ancyra for 10 years to the Palmyran Empire. Ancyra is also famous for being the location of the best remaining copy of Res Gestae Divi Augusti, Augustus' autobiography.
The stage then heads south west out of Ancyra, for this relatively short sprinters stage, giving them what will probably be their penultimate chance to shine. Although the terrain appears rolling on the map, the gradients are all very comfortable, with the climb after 17km being over 9 kilometres in length, but only having a 2.4% gradient.
After 90km the stage reaches it's intermediate sprint point, at the town of Gordion. Originally the capital of Midas' kingdom, and the location of the Gordian knot, it was abandoned by the Galatians as the Roman's approached in the Galatian War. The Galatian War is interesting as it was the first war in which a Roman General declared war without the approval of the senate, and the precedent that set was to cause trouble for the Republic from then on. After the Roman conquest of Galatia, Gordion was resettled, and for 300 years was a relatively prosperous small town, with a military barracks and a colonnaded street, although the largest architectural find has been the cemeteries.
After Gordion, the stage reaches it's lowest altitude, of just below 700 metres, before starting to gradually rise higher, until after 130km it goes past the town of Germa (Babadat) a Roman colony formed by Augustus.
With 5km to go the road starts to descend into the finishing town of Pessinus. The final 5k are perfectly straight, apart from a slight kink with 500m to go, which should give the sprint chains every opportunity to get in the perfect position.
Pessinus was a religious site, with a large temple area, and it's involvement with Rome long predates the Roman conquest of the area. During the Second Punic War, and worried by a meteor shower, the Roman's decided they need to worship the Mother of gos, Cybele. To do so, they sent an expedition to Pessinus to take a small black stone, said to have fallen fro the sky, worshipped at the temple in Pessinus. After Roman conquest Pessiunus developed from a purely religious site into a proper city, and it later became capital of the province of Galatia Salutaris.
Via Roma Stage 19 Ancyra (Ankara) --> Pessinous (Ballıhisar) 161 km
"From that time I surpassed all others in influence, yet my official powers were no greater than those of my colleague in office." -Augustus
Stage 19 of Via Roma starts in the town of Ancyra, which was conquered by Augustus in 25 BC. It was the major provincial capital of Galatia, with a population of around 200,000 people at its peak. A confluence of road gave Ancyra an excellent trading location, however this also made it vulnerable to raids, and the city was ransacked several times in the 3rd century, and the Romans even lost control of Ancyra for 10 years to the Palmyran Empire. Ancyra is also famous for being the location of the best remaining copy of Res Gestae Divi Augusti, Augustus' autobiography.
The stage then heads south west out of Ancyra, for this relatively short sprinters stage, giving them what will probably be their penultimate chance to shine. Although the terrain appears rolling on the map, the gradients are all very comfortable, with the climb after 17km being over 9 kilometres in length, but only having a 2.4% gradient.
After 90km the stage reaches it's intermediate sprint point, at the town of Gordion. Originally the capital of Midas' kingdom, and the location of the Gordian knot, it was abandoned by the Galatians as the Roman's approached in the Galatian War. The Galatian War is interesting as it was the first war in which a Roman General declared war without the approval of the senate, and the precedent that set was to cause trouble for the Republic from then on. After the Roman conquest of Galatia, Gordion was resettled, and for 300 years was a relatively prosperous small town, with a military barracks and a colonnaded street, although the largest architectural find has been the cemeteries.
After Gordion, the stage reaches it's lowest altitude, of just below 700 metres, before starting to gradually rise higher, until after 130km it goes past the town of Germa (Babadat) a Roman colony formed by Augustus.
With 5km to go the road starts to descend into the finishing town of Pessinus. The final 5k are perfectly straight, apart from a slight kink with 500m to go, which should give the sprint chains every opportunity to get in the perfect position.
Pessinus was a religious site, with a large temple area, and it's involvement with Rome long predates the Roman conquest of the area. During the Second Punic War, and worried by a meteor shower, the Roman's decided they need to worship the Mother of gos, Cybele. To do so, they sent an expedition to Pessinus to take a small black stone, said to have fallen fro the sky, worshipped at the temple in Pessinus. After Roman conquest Pessiunus developed from a purely religious site into a proper city, and it later became capital of the province of Galatia Salutaris.
Iter per Imperium Romanum Stage 19: Empuries-Sedes Urgelli 276km
Welcome to the first of three mountain stages, this being but the warm up for tomorrow. The day starts among the beuatiful Roman ruins of Empuries, perhaps among the most striking of Catalunya. Only 20% of the Roman City has been excavated up to now, so there is still much more to be found here. A necropolis, built in the 6th Century BC, was in use here until the 7th Century AD.
The city was extremely powerful in the early Roman times. Siding with the Romans during the Punic Wars in 218 BC (this has been a bit of a recurring theme in the start and end locations in this long week in Spain), it then became an independent city state for almost 200 years, becoming extremely powerful in the Iberian region, more so than Tarraco (Tarragona) and Barcino (Barcelona). However, it sided with Pompey during the Civil War of ca. 50 BC, resulting in its autonomy being stripped by Julius Caesar and thereafter began its decline. The neighbouring cities of Tarraco and Barcino were much preferred by subsequent Roman rule, and although it was one of the first cities to accept Christian evangelists, it survived only as a ceremonial seat until the 9th Century AD, remembered for its past glory.
The first 70k or so are pretty flat, before a stiff rise of 4km at about 7.5%. Following that, a very long gradual climb of 16km at only 4% follows. Just the other side is La Molina, which is sometimes used as an MTF in the Volta a Catalunya, but if you ask me recently they haven't used it enough. The peloton then passes Puigcerda and enters France for the first time, and imemdiately encounter a 3rd category climb. It's a pretty easy climb once again really. Next comes a bloody long climb. Port d'Envalira is 38km in its whole, I've only done the last 28 or so because the first 10 are basically flat. Not to say the rest of the climb is exactly hard either, but the last 5km have an average of 6.5% which after 200km, 7 stages in a row, and such a ridiculously long climb may actually take a toll on the legs slightly and tire out some riders, which is the numebr one intention as they enter Andorra.
The last climb is where I expect something to happen. Collada de Beixalis is a genuinely hard climb: short but steep. It was used last year in the Vuelta as the first climb of that Andorran marathon. The first kilometres are seriously hard, and we approach the climb slightly differently, making the opening even steeper. I do very much expect the riders to try something ehre, as the descent is fairly technical, but not enough to scare the riders, and there are only 15km of flase flat after Andorra La Vella, where the descent finishes. At worst, a select group of GC riders will cross the lien together. At best it will be a solo.
The finish is in Sedes Urgelli, key to the Romans becuase of its position, offering nearby access into France.
Welcome to the first of three mountain stages, this being but the warm up for tomorrow. The day starts among the beuatiful Roman ruins of Empuries, perhaps among the most striking of Catalunya. Only 20% of the Roman City has been excavated up to now, so there is still much more to be found here. A necropolis, built in the 6th Century BC, was in use here until the 7th Century AD.
The city was extremely powerful in the early Roman times. Siding with the Romans during the Punic Wars in 218 BC (this has been a bit of a recurring theme in the start and end locations in this long week in Spain), it then became an independent city state for almost 200 years, becoming extremely powerful in the Iberian region, more so than Tarraco (Tarragona) and Barcino (Barcelona). However, it sided with Pompey during the Civil War of ca. 50 BC, resulting in its autonomy being stripped by Julius Caesar and thereafter began its decline. The neighbouring cities of Tarraco and Barcino were much preferred by subsequent Roman rule, and although it was one of the first cities to accept Christian evangelists, it survived only as a ceremonial seat until the 9th Century AD, remembered for its past glory.
The first 70k or so are pretty flat, before a stiff rise of 4km at about 7.5%. Following that, a very long gradual climb of 16km at only 4% follows. Just the other side is La Molina, which is sometimes used as an MTF in the Volta a Catalunya, but if you ask me recently they haven't used it enough. The peloton then passes Puigcerda and enters France for the first time, and imemdiately encounter a 3rd category climb. It's a pretty easy climb once again really. Next comes a bloody long climb. Port d'Envalira is 38km in its whole, I've only done the last 28 or so because the first 10 are basically flat. Not to say the rest of the climb is exactly hard either, but the last 5km have an average of 6.5% which after 200km, 7 stages in a row, and such a ridiculously long climb may actually take a toll on the legs slightly and tire out some riders, which is the numebr one intention as they enter Andorra.
The last climb is where I expect something to happen. Collada de Beixalis is a genuinely hard climb: short but steep. It was used last year in the Vuelta as the first climb of that Andorran marathon. The first kilometres are seriously hard, and we approach the climb slightly differently, making the opening even steeper. I do very much expect the riders to try something ehre, as the descent is fairly technical, but not enough to scare the riders, and there are only 15km of flase flat after Andorra La Vella, where the descent finishes. At worst, a select group of GC riders will cross the lien together. At best it will be a solo.
The finish is in Sedes Urgelli, key to the Romans becuase of its position, offering nearby access into France.
- Mar 24, 2011
- 10,524
- 1,923
- 25,680
Here are stage 19 votes. Tomorrow will be stage day, but since we have no hurry I'll let everybody post their own stage, even if you already sent it to me, so that if you need last minute adjustments you're free to do so.
It would be cool if we could finish week 3 before I go off (this Sunday)...
JUDGE 1:
Gigs_98 T: 5 C: 3
I can only give 5 points to one, and this is just such a straight up classic stage that it had to be this one. Four brutes back to back, I actually don't have any gripes with Esischie instead of Fauniera because it means you climb the Pradleves side. The placing of the golden mile is ideal and while the locations are not of much interest from a Roman history point of view, I had to bump it up slightly for the great value to the history of cycling.
Brullnux T: 4 C: 4
I really didn't think anybody would go into Andorra. The length of the stage helps here as the final climb is comparatively far from the line, however it has the benefit of both being steep and being quite new so the riders aren't quite used to how to approach it yet. Reminds me of the Pinerolo stage in the 2009 Giro with the long and gradual climb then the shorter and tricky obstacle on the run for home.
Rghysens T: 4 C: 3
A real brute of a stage. I've lost track of whose rest days are where but if this is a weekend stage it's ideal. Some real tough climbs aided by extreme distance. Hardest climb is last which is always a minor drawback, but on the plus side, it's Mont du Chat so there's guaranteed time gaps. Culturally it's pretty decent but unspectacular; now we're closing in on Italy of course cultural points are much stronger in general.
mb2612 T: 2 C: 4
This is not a bad stage in and of itself, but you do have the misfortune that it's gone up against some real brute stages which has rather exaggerated the differences. This could potentially be quite interesting with plenty of up and down but no gradients such that would serve as a real platform so making it to the end could be a challenge for most sprinters and rouleurs. Cultural points-wise, you continue to excel.
JUDGE 2:
Gigs_98 T: 4 C: 3
A splendid stage. There will be riders crying into their pan y agua the evening after this. The only reason you didn’t get 5 points was because I could only pick you or Rghysens. So you both get a tough 4.
Brullnux T: 3 C: 3
I really like this as a medium mountain stage, but you get 3 technical points given the exploits of others today. The length is fiendish and there is over 4000m of vertical gain over the day.
Rghysens T: 4 C: 3
Man, I dig this stage. It gives me a nice warm fuzzy feeling. I can imagine that I would have this circled in my diary months in advance if the pro peloton were riding it. You have really maximised your cultural points considering the area. The only reason you didn’t get 5 points was because I could only pick you or Gigs. So you both get a tough 4.
mb2612 T: 1 C: 4
Flat stages are necessary, but they won’t win you many points. Culturally, you have managed to make the stage interesting.
JUDGE 3:
Gigs_98 T: 5 C: 3
In my mind this is the stage that everyone who ever has designed bike races before has thought of at some point. I know I have, so you get 0 points for originality. Luckily, the stage is great to not give 5 points. I do take offence in the statement that the descent of the Agnello is too easy to be crucial in a cycling race
Brullnux T: 3 C: 2
Seems like a very nice stage, but the climbs before the Beixalis are too shallow and the flat after it too long for me to rate it higher
Rghysens T: 4 C: 3
Looks like a very, very good stage, crossing the Alps in one go. With Mont du Chat being the hardest of the last climbs, it will most likely not explode that hard before that though.
mb2612 T: 2 C: 3
Not much going on, though I have a hard time getting an idea of the gradients on that profile.
JUDGE 4:
Gigs_98 T: 5 C: 3
Can't get much better than this, on the technical side. On the cultural, it could...
Brullnux T: 3 C: 4
It starts to feel like your route has way too many medium mountain stages. Granted, this could be considered high, but it still has the same feeling to it.
Rghysens T: 4 C: 4
Great stage, on all accounts. Just unlucky to be against Gigs's stage.
mb2612 T: 2 C: 3
Not much going on here. The cultural part is solid but doesn't really click, either.
CLASSIFICATION FOR STAGE 19
Gigs_98: 31
Rghysens: 29
Brullnux: 26
mb2612: 21
CLASSIFICATION AFTER STAGE 19:
rghysens: 728
mb2612: 679
Gigs_98: 658
Brullnux: 633
It would be cool if we could finish week 3 before I go off (this Sunday)...
JUDGE 1:
Gigs_98 T: 5 C: 3
I can only give 5 points to one, and this is just such a straight up classic stage that it had to be this one. Four brutes back to back, I actually don't have any gripes with Esischie instead of Fauniera because it means you climb the Pradleves side. The placing of the golden mile is ideal and while the locations are not of much interest from a Roman history point of view, I had to bump it up slightly for the great value to the history of cycling.
Brullnux T: 4 C: 4
I really didn't think anybody would go into Andorra. The length of the stage helps here as the final climb is comparatively far from the line, however it has the benefit of both being steep and being quite new so the riders aren't quite used to how to approach it yet. Reminds me of the Pinerolo stage in the 2009 Giro with the long and gradual climb then the shorter and tricky obstacle on the run for home.
Rghysens T: 4 C: 3
A real brute of a stage. I've lost track of whose rest days are where but if this is a weekend stage it's ideal. Some real tough climbs aided by extreme distance. Hardest climb is last which is always a minor drawback, but on the plus side, it's Mont du Chat so there's guaranteed time gaps. Culturally it's pretty decent but unspectacular; now we're closing in on Italy of course cultural points are much stronger in general.
mb2612 T: 2 C: 4
This is not a bad stage in and of itself, but you do have the misfortune that it's gone up against some real brute stages which has rather exaggerated the differences. This could potentially be quite interesting with plenty of up and down but no gradients such that would serve as a real platform so making it to the end could be a challenge for most sprinters and rouleurs. Cultural points-wise, you continue to excel.
JUDGE 2:
Gigs_98 T: 4 C: 3
A splendid stage. There will be riders crying into their pan y agua the evening after this. The only reason you didn’t get 5 points was because I could only pick you or Rghysens. So you both get a tough 4.
Brullnux T: 3 C: 3
I really like this as a medium mountain stage, but you get 3 technical points given the exploits of others today. The length is fiendish and there is over 4000m of vertical gain over the day.
Rghysens T: 4 C: 3
Man, I dig this stage. It gives me a nice warm fuzzy feeling. I can imagine that I would have this circled in my diary months in advance if the pro peloton were riding it. You have really maximised your cultural points considering the area. The only reason you didn’t get 5 points was because I could only pick you or Gigs. So you both get a tough 4.
mb2612 T: 1 C: 4
Flat stages are necessary, but they won’t win you many points. Culturally, you have managed to make the stage interesting.
JUDGE 3:
Gigs_98 T: 5 C: 3
In my mind this is the stage that everyone who ever has designed bike races before has thought of at some point. I know I have, so you get 0 points for originality. Luckily, the stage is great to not give 5 points. I do take offence in the statement that the descent of the Agnello is too easy to be crucial in a cycling race
Brullnux T: 3 C: 2
Seems like a very nice stage, but the climbs before the Beixalis are too shallow and the flat after it too long for me to rate it higher
Rghysens T: 4 C: 3
Looks like a very, very good stage, crossing the Alps in one go. With Mont du Chat being the hardest of the last climbs, it will most likely not explode that hard before that though.
mb2612 T: 2 C: 3
Not much going on, though I have a hard time getting an idea of the gradients on that profile.
JUDGE 4:
Gigs_98 T: 5 C: 3
Can't get much better than this, on the technical side. On the cultural, it could...
Brullnux T: 3 C: 4
It starts to feel like your route has way too many medium mountain stages. Granted, this could be considered high, but it still has the same feeling to it.
Rghysens T: 4 C: 4
Great stage, on all accounts. Just unlucky to be against Gigs's stage.
mb2612 T: 2 C: 3
Not much going on here. The cultural part is solid but doesn't really click, either.
CLASSIFICATION FOR STAGE 19
Gigs_98: 31
Rghysens: 29
Brullnux: 26
mb2612: 21
CLASSIFICATION AFTER STAGE 19:
rghysens: 728
mb2612: 679
Gigs_98: 658
Brullnux: 633
I can't post tomorrow so I'm gonna have to do it today, hope it is ok.
Iter per Imperium Romanum Stage 20: Tarasco-Vicus Aquensis 266km
One of the queen stages of the race. There have been a bit too many medium mountain stages in this Tour I admit, but hopefully this alone should make up for it. 5 Category 1 climbs in one day (no HC), as well as two Cat 2 and single cat 3 thrown in there as well. A couple of uncategorised ones that could've made Cat 2 are also there.
As soon as the day begins, climbing. The Port de Lers comes first. The other side was used in the 2015 Tour as the penultimate climb on the way to Plateau de Beille. It's a pretty hard climb to begin with. The second climb, a cat 3, is much easier, but the descent after is technical and hard. A 5km bump at 8% is next, before a bit of flat. Thus concludes the first section of the stage.
(the two ltitle bumps are errors, so ignore them)
Col de La Core is next. It's not that hard aclimb, depsite the fact that we are using its harder side. However, it is early on so it doesn't matter, as it will still tire out the riders. After a spell of false flat, the riders undergo the 5.4km Portet d'Aspet, by its easier side, so the average gradient is only 7.5%. Then comes Col de la Clin, or Col de Menthe, once again using the easier side of the climb. It's still not exactly easy, though, with some considerable difficulty.
Then, after a longer section of flat, comes the crucial part of the stage. First is the Artiguette, then is the hardest climb of the day, the Peyresourde. Home of the many battles, like the mythical Contador vs Rasmussen one that Miburo loves so much. Here the first attacks should come, perhaps from the second tier guys, before the Col d'Azet, which is another tough climb. The final climb is the Col d'Aspin, used this year in the Tour. The descent finish is in Vicus Aquensis, nowadays Bagneres de Bigorre.
Iter per Imperium Romanum Stage 20: Tarasco-Vicus Aquensis 266km
One of the queen stages of the race. There have been a bit too many medium mountain stages in this Tour I admit, but hopefully this alone should make up for it. 5 Category 1 climbs in one day (no HC), as well as two Cat 2 and single cat 3 thrown in there as well. A couple of uncategorised ones that could've made Cat 2 are also there.
As soon as the day begins, climbing. The Port de Lers comes first. The other side was used in the 2015 Tour as the penultimate climb on the way to Plateau de Beille. It's a pretty hard climb to begin with. The second climb, a cat 3, is much easier, but the descent after is technical and hard. A 5km bump at 8% is next, before a bit of flat. Thus concludes the first section of the stage.
(the two ltitle bumps are errors, so ignore them)
Col de La Core is next. It's not that hard aclimb, depsite the fact that we are using its harder side. However, it is early on so it doesn't matter, as it will still tire out the riders. After a spell of false flat, the riders undergo the 5.4km Portet d'Aspet, by its easier side, so the average gradient is only 7.5%. Then comes Col de la Clin, or Col de Menthe, once again using the easier side of the climb. It's still not exactly easy, though, with some considerable difficulty.
Then, after a longer section of flat, comes the crucial part of the stage. First is the Artiguette, then is the hardest climb of the day, the Peyresourde. Home of the many battles, like the mythical Contador vs Rasmussen one that Miburo loves so much. Here the first attacks should come, perhaps from the second tier guys, before the Col d'Azet, which is another tough climb. The final climb is the Col d'Aspin, used this year in the Tour. The descent finish is in Vicus Aquensis, nowadays Bagneres de Bigorre.
- Feb 18, 2015
- 13,655
- 9,428
- 28,180
Since I have already sent this stage to Eshnar I only had copy and paste it and already have it ready too.
CONSTANTINOPOLIS-ROMA stage 20: Segusio - Augusta Praetoria (188 km)
This is one of these stages which are absolutely horrible to design. Not because it's difficult to find any climbs to make the stage difficult, but because there are too many climbs and you don't want the stage to be too difficult. But after 4 gc relevant stages in a row I just had to make an easy stage again.
The stage starts in Segusio (Susa), a city which had a strategically important location, since in this town two roman passes, the Matrona (Montgenevre) and the Mont Cenis, started. Segusio became a big city with an amphitheater an aqueduct and a town fortification. Since the ruler of Segusio was a supporter of Maxentius, the city was destroyed by his rival Konstantin. Nevertheless there are still many impressive landmarks left.
After 50 slightly downhill kilometers the riders pass the first intermediate sprint in Augusta Taurinorum (Torino), another big city back in the Roman times and another city with many Roman monuments.
Another 50 kilometers later and after the first climb of the stage, which is still uncategorized though, the 2nd intermediate sprint is in Eporedia (Ivrea), Here the riders will not only ride past the Roman buildings but also over them, since a Roman bridge is still used in the normal traffic.
There is also an amphitheater in the town but somehow every single picture I find of it has a horrible resolution or this website doesn't notice that I post the link of a picture
Anyway, after this 2nd intermediate sprint the race also gets technically interesting. The route enters the Aosta valley and although it is a shame to ride through this valley without making a mountain stage, it also gives quite good possibilities to make a hilly stage. Especially the 4th category climb to Reclou and the 3rd category climb to Estaod, will most likely hurt sprinters because the two climbs come directly after each other and because the first one is tackled with only 40 k to go. And about 20 kilometers after the 2nd climb the riders are at the top of the last climb of the day, to Marsan. Non of these climbs is extremely difficult and it's quite likely the stage will end in a bunch sprint since there is still some flat left after the last ascent, but thats the purpose of this stage anyway. These climbs are basically only there to give attackers a small chance and make the stage interesting to watch.
The stage finishes in Augusta Praetoria (Aosta). The city was built to protect the Little St. Bernard Pass and became even more important after the Romans built the Big St. Bernard Pass. The city was created tessellated, and the ground plot of the Roman town is partly still visible in todays city Aosta. Generally you can see that this used to be a Roman city absolutely everywhere. The town walls are well preserved, the same counts for 6 of originally 20 towers of the city wall.
Besides this the most famous Roman buildings in Aosta are probably the theater, a triumphal arch and a bridge in the west of the town:
CONSTANTINOPOLIS-ROMA stage 20: Segusio - Augusta Praetoria (188 km)
This is one of these stages which are absolutely horrible to design. Not because it's difficult to find any climbs to make the stage difficult, but because there are too many climbs and you don't want the stage to be too difficult. But after 4 gc relevant stages in a row I just had to make an easy stage again.
The stage starts in Segusio (Susa), a city which had a strategically important location, since in this town two roman passes, the Matrona (Montgenevre) and the Mont Cenis, started. Segusio became a big city with an amphitheater an aqueduct and a town fortification. Since the ruler of Segusio was a supporter of Maxentius, the city was destroyed by his rival Konstantin. Nevertheless there are still many impressive landmarks left.
After 50 slightly downhill kilometers the riders pass the first intermediate sprint in Augusta Taurinorum (Torino), another big city back in the Roman times and another city with many Roman monuments.
Another 50 kilometers later and after the first climb of the stage, which is still uncategorized though, the 2nd intermediate sprint is in Eporedia (Ivrea), Here the riders will not only ride past the Roman buildings but also over them, since a Roman bridge is still used in the normal traffic.
There is also an amphitheater in the town but somehow every single picture I find of it has a horrible resolution or this website doesn't notice that I post the link of a picture
Anyway, after this 2nd intermediate sprint the race also gets technically interesting. The route enters the Aosta valley and although it is a shame to ride through this valley without making a mountain stage, it also gives quite good possibilities to make a hilly stage. Especially the 4th category climb to Reclou and the 3rd category climb to Estaod, will most likely hurt sprinters because the two climbs come directly after each other and because the first one is tackled with only 40 k to go. And about 20 kilometers after the 2nd climb the riders are at the top of the last climb of the day, to Marsan. Non of these climbs is extremely difficult and it's quite likely the stage will end in a bunch sprint since there is still some flat left after the last ascent, but thats the purpose of this stage anyway. These climbs are basically only there to give attackers a small chance and make the stage interesting to watch.
The stage finishes in Augusta Praetoria (Aosta). The city was built to protect the Little St. Bernard Pass and became even more important after the Romans built the Big St. Bernard Pass. The city was created tessellated, and the ground plot of the Roman town is partly still visible in todays city Aosta. Generally you can see that this used to be a Roman city absolutely everywhere. The town walls are well preserved, the same counts for 6 of originally 20 towers of the city wall.
Besides this the most famous Roman buildings in Aosta are probably the theater, a triumphal arch and a bridge in the west of the town:
same for me:
Mare Nostrum, stage 20: Aquae – Lugdunum: 203.5km, medium mountains + hilltop finish
After the long and hard mountain stage the peloton will be delighted not to have to make a transfer to another starting location. But, although easier than the previous stage, stage 20 will by no means be an easy stage.
After a few kilometers, the first difficulty will already split the peloton, as the inevitable break will try to form. Its descent is followed by a looooong stretch of flat road while crossing the plain formed by a wide bend of the Rhone, with two crossings of said river. Just before of the third crossing the first Roman landmark sprint takes places in Roman Vienna, which is not Roman Vindabonum, but current Vienne.
Vienne was founded as an oppidum by the Celtic Allobroges and became a Roman colonia in 47BC. The Allobroges succeeded in expelling the colonists from their city and the exiles moved to Lyon, today’s finish. Vienna still has some Roman heritage to show off. Above all a temple, but also a theatre, some remaining wall segments, an arch and the spina from the local circus.
Only a mile or so further on the road, the second Roman landmark sprint awaits the peloton. In Saint-Romain-en-Gal remains of the baths and a stretch of Roman road attest for its ancient past.
For a while the course follows the Rhône, but after almost 125km it starts to climb the hills west of Lyon. At first, just a warm-up, but soon more difficult climbs appear. But first, there’s a Roman landmark sprint at the aqueduc du Gier in Mornant. While it’s not the Pont du Gard, it’s still worth a visit.
After the last Roman landmark sprint there are three climbs in quick succession, the last one cresting with about 20km to go. The descent ends with a small, uncategorized 1km @ 6% climb 7km before the finish. The closing kilometers are quite treacherous. First a tricky descent, and then a sinuous climb to the colline de la Fourvière, the Roman Forum vetus, with some ancient monuments.
Climbs:
Col du Chat: km11; 6.8km @ 6.1%; 2nd cat
Côte de Saint-Bois: km33.5; 1.6km @ 5.6%; 4th cat
Côte de la Forestière: km124; 2.2km @ 5.6%; 4th cat
Saint-André-la-Coté: km140; 7.8km @ 6.3%; 2nd cat
Col d’Yzeron: km161; 5.8km @ 6.4%; 3rd cat
Col de la Luère: km181; 7km @ 6.2%; 2nd cat
Colline de la Fourvière: km203.5; 1.6km @ 6.9%; 4th cat
Roman landmark sprints:
Vienne: km109.5
Saint-Romain-en-Gal: km111
Aqueduc du Gier: km131
Total distance raced: 4350km
Mare Nostrum, stage 20: Aquae – Lugdunum: 203.5km, medium mountains + hilltop finish
After the long and hard mountain stage the peloton will be delighted not to have to make a transfer to another starting location. But, although easier than the previous stage, stage 20 will by no means be an easy stage.
After a few kilometers, the first difficulty will already split the peloton, as the inevitable break will try to form. Its descent is followed by a looooong stretch of flat road while crossing the plain formed by a wide bend of the Rhone, with two crossings of said river. Just before of the third crossing the first Roman landmark sprint takes places in Roman Vienna, which is not Roman Vindabonum, but current Vienne.
Vienne was founded as an oppidum by the Celtic Allobroges and became a Roman colonia in 47BC. The Allobroges succeeded in expelling the colonists from their city and the exiles moved to Lyon, today’s finish. Vienna still has some Roman heritage to show off. Above all a temple, but also a theatre, some remaining wall segments, an arch and the spina from the local circus.
Only a mile or so further on the road, the second Roman landmark sprint awaits the peloton. In Saint-Romain-en-Gal remains of the baths and a stretch of Roman road attest for its ancient past.
For a while the course follows the Rhône, but after almost 125km it starts to climb the hills west of Lyon. At first, just a warm-up, but soon more difficult climbs appear. But first, there’s a Roman landmark sprint at the aqueduc du Gier in Mornant. While it’s not the Pont du Gard, it’s still worth a visit.
After the last Roman landmark sprint there are three climbs in quick succession, the last one cresting with about 20km to go. The descent ends with a small, uncategorized 1km @ 6% climb 7km before the finish. The closing kilometers are quite treacherous. First a tricky descent, and then a sinuous climb to the colline de la Fourvière, the Roman Forum vetus, with some ancient monuments.
Climbs:
Col du Chat: km11; 6.8km @ 6.1%; 2nd cat
Côte de Saint-Bois: km33.5; 1.6km @ 5.6%; 4th cat
Côte de la Forestière: km124; 2.2km @ 5.6%; 4th cat
Saint-André-la-Coté: km140; 7.8km @ 6.3%; 2nd cat
Col d’Yzeron: km161; 5.8km @ 6.4%; 3rd cat
Col de la Luère: km181; 7km @ 6.2%; 2nd cat
Colline de la Fourvière: km203.5; 1.6km @ 6.9%; 4th cat
Roman landmark sprints:
Vienne: km109.5
Saint-Romain-en-Gal: km111
Aqueduc du Gier: km131
Total distance raced: 4350km
- Feb 20, 2010
- 32,497
- 14,259
- 28,180
Brullnux, why have you used the alternate name for Menté and renamed Portillón? Seems odd.
Also, for rghysens if I remember correctly, the amphitheatre in Lyon is the oldest one still functioning in its intended function today, for they hold music and theatre events in it to this day.
Also, for rghysens if I remember correctly, the amphitheatre in Lyon is the oldest one still functioning in its intended function today, for they hold music and theatre events in it to this day.
- Mar 24, 2011
- 10,524
- 1,923
- 25,680
Since mb2612 didn't post his/her stage, I'll post it:
Via Roma Stage 20 Nacolea ( Seyitgazi)--> Aezani (Çavdarhisar) 190 km
Finding in the possession of Marcellus an imperial robe which had been given to him by Procopius, he was so enraged...Not only all who had conspired, but who were merely friends or relations to any of the conspirators, though themselves perfectly innocent, were sacrificed to the fury of the emperor. - Zosimus on Valens
Stage 20 starts in the Roman town of Nacolea, most famous as the location when Emperor Valens captured and killed the userpor Procopius. Valens, who was made Eastern Roman Emperor after his brother was given control of the whole empire, and decided to split it with him, had initially contemplated abdication after hearing of Procopius' revolt, eventually decided to fight him. Valens sent two legions at first, however, after they were convinced to join Procopius, he was forced to fight for over a year. After winning victory in the Battle of Thyatira Valens caught up with the remnants of Procopius' army at Nacolea. It was here he conviced the troops to desert Procopius, who he executed a few days later.
For the first 100km the road goes south west along the high Turkish plateau. The route passes various Roman towns, Pontanena, Meiros and Appia to name three, however unlike the last couple of weeks, continuous occupation, combined with earthquakes, has meant that there are very few archealogical remains. After 107km the riders will reach the days first category 2 climb, 10.2 km at 3.7% in total, although 8 of those kilometres are comfortably above 5%.
Over the top, and the stage descends for the next 40kilometres, before reaching the stage's sprint point in the town of Kadoi (Gediz). Agan, unfortunately there are no ruins, but it was a lively Roman town, which even hosted a local version of the Olympic Games.
With 35km to ride the second category 2 climb kicks off, this time 5.2% for 8.2 kilometers, which should be enough to shake off any sprinters, or allow some early action if a break is likely to stay clear. Either way, the dropped riders will have 10km of frantic chasing to get back on terms before the final bump of 53% for 2km, cresting with just 7km of descending to go. This stage is unlikely to incentivise the GC riders to attack, but with a depleted peloton, and not much opportunity to chase, the final climb could easily see some action.
The stage finishes in the town of Aezani. Aezani was an important Phyrgian city in the Roman Empire, and seems to have reached the zenith of its importance in the late 2nd century CE, which is when most of it's ruins are from. The Temple of Zeus in Aezani is still standing, almost in its entirity, with only 3 collumns being rebuilt in modern times, although irritatingly, in the thirteenth century the the Tartars grafittied the walls of the temple with depictions of their battles.
Via Roma Stage 20 Nacolea ( Seyitgazi)--> Aezani (Çavdarhisar) 190 km
Finding in the possession of Marcellus an imperial robe which had been given to him by Procopius, he was so enraged...Not only all who had conspired, but who were merely friends or relations to any of the conspirators, though themselves perfectly innocent, were sacrificed to the fury of the emperor. - Zosimus on Valens
Stage 20 starts in the Roman town of Nacolea, most famous as the location when Emperor Valens captured and killed the userpor Procopius. Valens, who was made Eastern Roman Emperor after his brother was given control of the whole empire, and decided to split it with him, had initially contemplated abdication after hearing of Procopius' revolt, eventually decided to fight him. Valens sent two legions at first, however, after they were convinced to join Procopius, he was forced to fight for over a year. After winning victory in the Battle of Thyatira Valens caught up with the remnants of Procopius' army at Nacolea. It was here he conviced the troops to desert Procopius, who he executed a few days later.
For the first 100km the road goes south west along the high Turkish plateau. The route passes various Roman towns, Pontanena, Meiros and Appia to name three, however unlike the last couple of weeks, continuous occupation, combined with earthquakes, has meant that there are very few archealogical remains. After 107km the riders will reach the days first category 2 climb, 10.2 km at 3.7% in total, although 8 of those kilometres are comfortably above 5%.
Over the top, and the stage descends for the next 40kilometres, before reaching the stage's sprint point in the town of Kadoi (Gediz). Agan, unfortunately there are no ruins, but it was a lively Roman town, which even hosted a local version of the Olympic Games.
With 35km to ride the second category 2 climb kicks off, this time 5.2% for 8.2 kilometers, which should be enough to shake off any sprinters, or allow some early action if a break is likely to stay clear. Either way, the dropped riders will have 10km of frantic chasing to get back on terms before the final bump of 53% for 2km, cresting with just 7km of descending to go. This stage is unlikely to incentivise the GC riders to attack, but with a depleted peloton, and not much opportunity to chase, the final climb could easily see some action.
The stage finishes in the town of Aezani. Aezani was an important Phyrgian city in the Roman Empire, and seems to have reached the zenith of its importance in the late 2nd century CE, which is when most of it's ruins are from. The Temple of Zeus in Aezani is still standing, almost in its entirity, with only 3 collumns being rebuilt in modern times, although irritatingly, in the thirteenth century the the Tartars grafittied the walls of the temple with depictions of their battles.
- Mar 24, 2011
- 10,524
- 1,923
- 25,680
OMG We're on time! Here are stage 20 votes.
Tomorrow is stage day. As for stage 20, I will let you guys post your stages and step in only if you don't by tomorrow night. Saturday will be voting day, and hopefully by Sunday morning we'll also have released the votes for week 3. And that will be it for the next 2 weeks.
JUDGE 1:
Gigs_98 T: 2 C: 4
Nice hills at the end, but I really think that part of the world can do better than that. After more than 400km of trench wars and cobbled wars I think that 'can't do more than 4 GC stages in a row' is a weak excuse. Aosta looks great tho.
Brullnux T: 5 C: 2
**** yes for this stage. I love that you didn't use any big HC climbs. Many climbs are similar in length and gradient, which makes for a lot more different possible scenario's. A lot of stuff could happen on this one.
Rghysens T: 3 C: 3
Climbs look better on the profile than what they are, but still nice last part of the stage and a nice finish
mb2612 T: 2 C: 2
One of those stages that kinda do nothing except make sprinters that mad when they still don't get a chance.
JUDGE 2:
Gigs_98 T: 3 C: 4
As a transitional stage, it's just ok. From the cultural side is a very good one.
Brullnux T: 5 C: 3
Great stage. No proper monsters but lots and lots of good climbs, I love it.
Rghysens T: 4 C: 4
Excellent finale. The cultural side is solid, too.
mb2612 T: 3 C: 3
Just as Gigs's, decent transitional stage. The cultural side doesn't look as good, though.
JUDGE 3:
Gigs_98 T: 4 C: 3
I may be in a minority, but this is the kind of stage I want to see in Grand Tours. It is not going to change the GC, it is likely to end in a bunch sprint but you have created a bit of intrigue in the last 40km, and I would certainly be watching it. The only problem is that a break is likely to be let go miles clear after yesterday, but the racing would be fun regardless. You have done a good job culturally too.
Brullnux T: 5 C: 1
I love this stage. Gives me the vapours. Length, climb frequency, climb difficulty, it has it all. But a singularly uninteresting stage from a cultural perspective.
Rghysens T: 4 C: 5
Really nice stage. You guys all know your onions, that is for sure. I like medium mountain stages like this. It is a great area for Roman culture, too. And you have done a good job of showcasing it. Gonna give you the top cultural points here.
mb2612 T: 3 C: 3
Another nice transition stage. Nice culturally too. I did eeny meeny miny moe to decide between you and Gigs for the 4 technical points.
JUDGE 4:
Gigs_98 T: 2 C: 4
While I appreciate your reasoning and that you have had a large number of significant stages back to back here, and as a flat stage with some puncheur options it's a decent stage design, a flat-to-rolling stage through the Valle d'Aosta is a huge wasted opportunity in the scale of this challenge, as few Roman settlements in the heart of the mountains have as much cultural value as Aosta. Not to mention that this is on a weekend after all those GC stages before. However, the cultural points compensate you somewhat.
Brullnux T: 4 C: 3
This is a real monster of a mountain stage, so much so that the nowadays fairly nondescript Aspin should be a killer off the back of such a lot of climbing (Portet d'Aspet uncategorized!) even if some of these are from their easier side. On the cultural side of things it's obviously more about the location of the towns than any particular Roman prominence as with many of the major mountain stages here, so hard to count anything against you for that.
Rghysens T: 4 C: 3
This is a really nice medium mountain stage which should provide ample opportunity for riders to make it tough as well as providing a tricky couple of climbs in the run-in so that there's still seconds to protect even once the major obstacles are over. Lyon has some good Roman heritage as well.
mb2612 T: 3 C: 4
This is a decent transitional stage where even if the GC riders play their cards close to their chest there's a good chance that the last 30km will see some interesting battles for the stage win. Throughout the race your dedication to cultural points has shone through and once again this is a positive point.
CLASSIFICATION FOR STAGE 20
Rghysens: 30
Brullnux: 28
Gigs_98: 26
mb2612: 23
CLASSIFICATION AFTER STAGE 20:
rghysens: 758
mb2612: 702
Gigs_98: 684
Brullnux: 661
Tomorrow is stage day. As for stage 20, I will let you guys post your stages and step in only if you don't by tomorrow night. Saturday will be voting day, and hopefully by Sunday morning we'll also have released the votes for week 3. And that will be it for the next 2 weeks.
JUDGE 1:
Gigs_98 T: 2 C: 4
Nice hills at the end, but I really think that part of the world can do better than that. After more than 400km of trench wars and cobbled wars I think that 'can't do more than 4 GC stages in a row' is a weak excuse. Aosta looks great tho.
Brullnux T: 5 C: 2
**** yes for this stage. I love that you didn't use any big HC climbs. Many climbs are similar in length and gradient, which makes for a lot more different possible scenario's. A lot of stuff could happen on this one.
Rghysens T: 3 C: 3
Climbs look better on the profile than what they are, but still nice last part of the stage and a nice finish
mb2612 T: 2 C: 2
One of those stages that kinda do nothing except make sprinters that mad when they still don't get a chance.
JUDGE 2:
Gigs_98 T: 3 C: 4
As a transitional stage, it's just ok. From the cultural side is a very good one.
Brullnux T: 5 C: 3
Great stage. No proper monsters but lots and lots of good climbs, I love it.
Rghysens T: 4 C: 4
Excellent finale. The cultural side is solid, too.
mb2612 T: 3 C: 3
Just as Gigs's, decent transitional stage. The cultural side doesn't look as good, though.
JUDGE 3:
Gigs_98 T: 4 C: 3
I may be in a minority, but this is the kind of stage I want to see in Grand Tours. It is not going to change the GC, it is likely to end in a bunch sprint but you have created a bit of intrigue in the last 40km, and I would certainly be watching it. The only problem is that a break is likely to be let go miles clear after yesterday, but the racing would be fun regardless. You have done a good job culturally too.
Brullnux T: 5 C: 1
I love this stage. Gives me the vapours. Length, climb frequency, climb difficulty, it has it all. But a singularly uninteresting stage from a cultural perspective.
Rghysens T: 4 C: 5
Really nice stage. You guys all know your onions, that is for sure. I like medium mountain stages like this. It is a great area for Roman culture, too. And you have done a good job of showcasing it. Gonna give you the top cultural points here.
mb2612 T: 3 C: 3
Another nice transition stage. Nice culturally too. I did eeny meeny miny moe to decide between you and Gigs for the 4 technical points.
JUDGE 4:
Gigs_98 T: 2 C: 4
While I appreciate your reasoning and that you have had a large number of significant stages back to back here, and as a flat stage with some puncheur options it's a decent stage design, a flat-to-rolling stage through the Valle d'Aosta is a huge wasted opportunity in the scale of this challenge, as few Roman settlements in the heart of the mountains have as much cultural value as Aosta. Not to mention that this is on a weekend after all those GC stages before. However, the cultural points compensate you somewhat.
Brullnux T: 4 C: 3
This is a real monster of a mountain stage, so much so that the nowadays fairly nondescript Aspin should be a killer off the back of such a lot of climbing (Portet d'Aspet uncategorized!) even if some of these are from their easier side. On the cultural side of things it's obviously more about the location of the towns than any particular Roman prominence as with many of the major mountain stages here, so hard to count anything against you for that.
Rghysens T: 4 C: 3
This is a really nice medium mountain stage which should provide ample opportunity for riders to make it tough as well as providing a tricky couple of climbs in the run-in so that there's still seconds to protect even once the major obstacles are over. Lyon has some good Roman heritage as well.
mb2612 T: 3 C: 4
This is a decent transitional stage where even if the GC riders play their cards close to their chest there's a good chance that the last 30km will see some interesting battles for the stage win. Throughout the race your dedication to cultural points has shone through and once again this is a positive point.
CLASSIFICATION FOR STAGE 20
Rghysens: 30
Brullnux: 28
Gigs_98: 26
mb2612: 23
CLASSIFICATION AFTER STAGE 20:
rghysens: 758
mb2612: 702
Gigs_98: 684
Brullnux: 661
Eshnar said:
This is not necessarily true. Given the fact that this challenge takes 32 days (28 stages + 4 restdays), we can't start and finish in a weekend. Since it seems better to finish in a weekend (and I assume Gigs will do that), this stage is probably held on a thursday or a friday, depending on how many restday there are still to come.
- Feb 18, 2015
- 13,655
- 9,428
- 28,180
I actually don't know. At the start of the challange I wrote on which day my race starts and back then my best stages came mostly on weekends but since then I changed a few stages which completely messed up my whole weekend plans so it's absolutely right to give me less points.rghysens said:
To the judge(s) who care(s): this stage is on a saturday.
Stage 21: Lugdunum – Colonia Iulia Equestris/Noviodunum: 192km, medium mountains
After two hard days, the flat start and hilly middle part of this stage will probably see the favourites take it easy during much of its duration. Still, they can’t take a whole day off because there’s a very poisonous sting in this stage’s tail.
The 21st stage starts by crossing the Dombes, a flatland between the rivers Ain and Saône, dotted with innumerous little lakes and ponds. For almost 70km the peloton can take it easy and enjoy the views, unless some want to set up a breakaway. The first climb of the day is rather short, but very steep and soon followed by the only Roman landmark sprint of the day in Izernore. Ancient Isarnodurum was a Gallo-Roman settlement on a crossing of the roads from Lyon and Genève, and the biggest town between Lake Geneva and Lyon. At the end of the 4th century AD the brothers and saints-to-be Romanus and Lupicinus were born here.
When leaving Izernore, the peloton starts the crossing of the Jura, not in the most difficult possible way, but still there are 5 hills to be climbed before the descent to the plains around lake Geneva. This is not the end of today’s difficulties, as there is one final loop in the mountains, with the hardest climb of the day. Although it’s a short climb, its gradient more than makes up for it. The summit of this final difficulty comes with slightly less than 20km to go. About half of it descent, the rest a gently descending false flat until 1.5km to, where the course skirts the shores of lake Geneva. The finish town was founded as Colonia Iulia Equestris during the reign of Julius Caesar and served to house the horsemen of his legions (hence the name). The settlement soon became known as Noviodunum (meaning new fortress in Gallic), which over the centuries changed into Nyon.
Noviodunum was part of a loose network of settlements that radiated out from Lugdunum and helped to control the Rhone Valley. It served, along with other Roman colonies in the area, to control the Helvetii who were settled in the area against their will after their defeat at the Battle of Bibracte in 58 BC.
Climbs:
Côte de la Grotte de la Cambourne: km70,5; 2.2km @ 10.4%; 3rd cat
Côte des Quattre Buis: km92; 3.4km @ 6.5%; 3rd cat
Col des Clés: km106; 6km @ 6.8%; 3rd cat
Côte du Bugnon: km120; 5.2km @ 5.8%; 3rd cat
Côte de la Simard: km136.5; 2.6km @ 4.9%; 4th cat
Col de la Faucille: km153.5; 6.4km @ 5%; 3rd cat
Col de Majorat: km172.4; 3.9km @ 11%; 2nd cat
Roman Landmark sprint:
Isarnodurum: km88
Total distance raced: 4542km
Stage 21: Lugdunum – Colonia Iulia Equestris/Noviodunum: 192km, medium mountains
After two hard days, the flat start and hilly middle part of this stage will probably see the favourites take it easy during much of its duration. Still, they can’t take a whole day off because there’s a very poisonous sting in this stage’s tail.
The 21st stage starts by crossing the Dombes, a flatland between the rivers Ain and Saône, dotted with innumerous little lakes and ponds. For almost 70km the peloton can take it easy and enjoy the views, unless some want to set up a breakaway. The first climb of the day is rather short, but very steep and soon followed by the only Roman landmark sprint of the day in Izernore. Ancient Isarnodurum was a Gallo-Roman settlement on a crossing of the roads from Lyon and Genève, and the biggest town between Lake Geneva and Lyon. At the end of the 4th century AD the brothers and saints-to-be Romanus and Lupicinus were born here.
When leaving Izernore, the peloton starts the crossing of the Jura, not in the most difficult possible way, but still there are 5 hills to be climbed before the descent to the plains around lake Geneva. This is not the end of today’s difficulties, as there is one final loop in the mountains, with the hardest climb of the day. Although it’s a short climb, its gradient more than makes up for it. The summit of this final difficulty comes with slightly less than 20km to go. About half of it descent, the rest a gently descending false flat until 1.5km to, where the course skirts the shores of lake Geneva. The finish town was founded as Colonia Iulia Equestris during the reign of Julius Caesar and served to house the horsemen of his legions (hence the name). The settlement soon became known as Noviodunum (meaning new fortress in Gallic), which over the centuries changed into Nyon.
Noviodunum was part of a loose network of settlements that radiated out from Lugdunum and helped to control the Rhone Valley. It served, along with other Roman colonies in the area, to control the Helvetii who were settled in the area against their will after their defeat at the Battle of Bibracte in 58 BC.
Climbs:
Côte de la Grotte de la Cambourne: km70,5; 2.2km @ 10.4%; 3rd cat
Côte des Quattre Buis: km92; 3.4km @ 6.5%; 3rd cat
Col des Clés: km106; 6km @ 6.8%; 3rd cat
Côte du Bugnon: km120; 5.2km @ 5.8%; 3rd cat
Côte de la Simard: km136.5; 2.6km @ 4.9%; 4th cat
Col de la Faucille: km153.5; 6.4km @ 5%; 3rd cat
Col de Majorat: km172.4; 3.9km @ 11%; 2nd cat
Roman Landmark sprint:
Isarnodurum: km88
Total distance raced: 4542km
Iter per Imperium Romanum Stage 21: Tarba-Imus 230km
The third mountain stage in a row. I don't have much time, so I will be succint. The stage starts in Tarba, one of the most important Pyreenean setttlements of the time. The climbs are all fairly well known, most from the eadier side but the penultimate has a section of 4km at 12.4%.
The third mountain stage in a row. I don't have much time, so I will be succint. The stage starts in Tarba, one of the most important Pyreenean setttlements of the time. The climbs are all fairly well known, most from the eadier side but the penultimate has a section of 4km at 12.4%.
- Mar 24, 2011
- 10,524
- 1,923
- 25,680
Gigs's stage 21:
CONSTANTINOPOLIS-ROMA stage 21: Octodurus - Madrano (180 km)
It sounds strange but for me this stage is a transitional stage. Not in the way how the word is usually used in todays cycling, but for this challenge. Because the thing with classical flat transitional stages in this challenge is that you basically always have to use culturally important stage starts and finishes or you lose way too many points with only one stage. The problem is that there aren't that many big Roman cities I could have used for that so I decided to not look too much on the cultural aspect but instead still design a very hard stage.
The start of the stage however is an exception, since this town was actually relatively important in the ancient times. I'm talking about Octodurus (Martigny), or Forum Claudii Augusti or Forum Claudii Vallensium. Yeah this city had many names, but the one I use for the stage was the original one. The most famous event which took place there was the battle of Octodorus where two celtic tribes tried to expel the Romans from this part of the Alps, but despite 100 000 more soldiers they lost against the Roman army.
Today the most famous Roman monument there is a very well preserved amphitheater.
Before the climbing starts later in this stage, the first half is relatively flat, and the two intermediate sprints of the day in Sedunum (Sion) ,where Roman graves have been found, and Brig already take place. Then the first climb, is only a 3rd category ascent to the village Deisch, so only a warmup for what awaits the riders later. There are still a few, slightly uphill, kilometers to go from Deisch on, but then the first really hard climb of the day starts, the Nufenenpass.
This ascent is really difficult. It's generally steep, but especially the last 9 kilometers have an average elevation gain of over 9%. That alone would already be hard enough to almost classify this as a HC pass, but since these 9 km are preceded by a few more kilometers of climbing and because the climb is on a very high altitude this is a brutal climb. Moreover the scenery is absolutely breathtaking.
This climb will surely already hurt some riders and the peloton won't be that big anymore, but the suffering isn't over yet since directly after the descent the next HC climb starts, the Adula Mons, or as the pass is rather known, the Gotthardpass. This isn't only one of the most famous passes in Switzerland but also one of the oldest, which was already used in the Roman times. But even besides that this climb just fits into a "Roman race", because although todays street ofc wasn't built in the ancient times, the pass is still cobbled, and I think the atmosphere of probably the last cobbled European high mountain pass just fits into this race. And combined with the general scenery of the street, this climb could make this stage one of the highlights of the whole race.
Besides being very scenic this climb also isn't exactly easy. It doesn't have any absolutely extreme gradients, but the climb is very steady, never really flat and an elevation gain of over 7% also is far from flat. Again the altitude will make this ascent more difficult too and ofc. the cobbled road. The cobbles are in a very good condition but riding on such a surface will still make it more difficult. This climb should give attackers a very good opportunity to gain time on their rivals, and depending on the situation in the gc there could be fireworks.
(Only the last 13 kilometers)
Another great thing about the Gotthardpass is, that there are two streets on the south side, so you can descend to the point where the climb started. This also means that I can finish directly after the end of the last descent since the town, where usually the climb starts, Airolo, was a Roman settlement. This is proven because of excavations of Roman graves.
CONSTANTINOPOLIS-ROMA stage 21: Octodurus - Madrano (180 km)
It sounds strange but for me this stage is a transitional stage. Not in the way how the word is usually used in todays cycling, but for this challenge. Because the thing with classical flat transitional stages in this challenge is that you basically always have to use culturally important stage starts and finishes or you lose way too many points with only one stage. The problem is that there aren't that many big Roman cities I could have used for that so I decided to not look too much on the cultural aspect but instead still design a very hard stage.
The start of the stage however is an exception, since this town was actually relatively important in the ancient times. I'm talking about Octodurus (Martigny), or Forum Claudii Augusti or Forum Claudii Vallensium. Yeah this city had many names, but the one I use for the stage was the original one. The most famous event which took place there was the battle of Octodorus where two celtic tribes tried to expel the Romans from this part of the Alps, but despite 100 000 more soldiers they lost against the Roman army.
Today the most famous Roman monument there is a very well preserved amphitheater.
Before the climbing starts later in this stage, the first half is relatively flat, and the two intermediate sprints of the day in Sedunum (Sion) ,where Roman graves have been found, and Brig already take place. Then the first climb, is only a 3rd category ascent to the village Deisch, so only a warmup for what awaits the riders later. There are still a few, slightly uphill, kilometers to go from Deisch on, but then the first really hard climb of the day starts, the Nufenenpass.
This ascent is really difficult. It's generally steep, but especially the last 9 kilometers have an average elevation gain of over 9%. That alone would already be hard enough to almost classify this as a HC pass, but since these 9 km are preceded by a few more kilometers of climbing and because the climb is on a very high altitude this is a brutal climb. Moreover the scenery is absolutely breathtaking.
This climb will surely already hurt some riders and the peloton won't be that big anymore, but the suffering isn't over yet since directly after the descent the next HC climb starts, the Adula Mons, or as the pass is rather known, the Gotthardpass. This isn't only one of the most famous passes in Switzerland but also one of the oldest, which was already used in the Roman times. But even besides that this climb just fits into a "Roman race", because although todays street ofc wasn't built in the ancient times, the pass is still cobbled, and I think the atmosphere of probably the last cobbled European high mountain pass just fits into this race. And combined with the general scenery of the street, this climb could make this stage one of the highlights of the whole race.
Besides being very scenic this climb also isn't exactly easy. It doesn't have any absolutely extreme gradients, but the climb is very steady, never really flat and an elevation gain of over 7% also is far from flat. Again the altitude will make this ascent more difficult too and ofc. the cobbled road. The cobbles are in a very good condition but riding on such a surface will still make it more difficult. This climb should give attackers a very good opportunity to gain time on their rivals, and depending on the situation in the gc there could be fireworks.
(Only the last 13 kilometers)
Another great thing about the Gotthardpass is, that there are two streets on the south side, so you can descend to the point where the climb started. This also means that I can finish directly after the end of the last descent since the town, where usually the climb starts, Airolo, was a Roman settlement. This is proven because of excavations of Roman graves.
- Mar 24, 2011
- 10,524
- 1,923
- 25,680
mb2612 stage 21:
Via Roma Stage 21 Nicaea (İznik) --> Hadrianoi (Orhaneli) 140 km
We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of all things visible and invisible. - Nicaean Creed
Stage 21 of Via Roma starts in the city of Nicaea. Nicaea spent a long period, before Constantinople was founded, in competition with Nicomedia over which city was pre-eminent in Asia Minor, before being severely damaged by an earthquake in around 100 AD. The reconstruction took over 100 years to complete, and afterwards, in 336 AD Emperor Constantine convened the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea. The Nicaean council is important, as it created the Nicaean Creed, establishing relatively definitively what it meant to be a Christian, most importantly establishing the divinity of Jesus.
The stage starts, and immediately heads south, where the first climb starts after just 4 kilometres, giving a strong break the perfect chance to form. The climb is second category, and at 7.3% for 6.3 km will properly stretch the legs of the riders on this relatively short stage.
After the first climb the next 60 kilometres are largely flat, although they are the only flat kilometres, of the day. At the end of the 60 km we arrive at the days intermediate sprint point in the city of Prusa (Bursa). Prusa, like Nicaea, was part of the Bithynian kingdom before it became part of Rome, and it was here that Hannibal sheltered in his final years after being exiled from Carthage. There was also a silver treasure discovered at Prusa, shown below, probably a wealthy Roman ladies toiletries, which like all good treasures is stored in the British museum.
It is in Prusa that the climbing starts, initially with a bang, 12% for the first kilometre and a half, but then the climb settles down into a long grind, for fully 19.3km at an average gradient of 6.3%. This HC climb is up the mountain known as the Mysian Olympus, and staged host to the major battle the Galatian war, where the Roman army routed the Galitians, allowing them to be driven back to Ancyra.
The decent off the climb is an excellent opportunity for anyone who has jumped across to a teammate up the road, as the 20km before the next climb average 5.6% either up or down, with plenty of technical downhills, short flat sections, and small rises, perfect for helping a couple of strong riders push clear of a disorganised bunch. The next climb is very irregular, averaging 4.3% for its 7.9 category 2 kilometres, but including back to back 2.1 km sections, first at 7.0%, then at 6.4%.
That climb crested with just 15km to go, and the next 12 of them are descending, fast and straight, with only a couple of hairpins before the final 3 kilometres start to rise towards the finish line. First there is a false flat for 1k before the next 1,500 metres rise sharply, averaging 6.7%, and then the final 500m are downhill to the line. The riders should be feeling relatively energetic after a few short stages, and today's gives anyone feeling frisky a chance to create gaps.
Hadrianoi was unsurprisingly founded by emperor Hadrian, in around 131 AD. Hadrianoi's most famous resident was Aelius Aristides, a second sophistic scholar, famous in his time for his oratory. Probably his most famous address, was "Regarding Rome", extolling the glory of Pax Romana, and I have included a section below, which seems very much in the theme celebrating the Empire:
A statue of Aelius Aristides at the Vatican
Via Roma Stage 21 Nicaea (İznik) --> Hadrianoi (Orhaneli) 140 km
We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of all things visible and invisible. - Nicaean Creed
Stage 21 of Via Roma starts in the city of Nicaea. Nicaea spent a long period, before Constantinople was founded, in competition with Nicomedia over which city was pre-eminent in Asia Minor, before being severely damaged by an earthquake in around 100 AD. The reconstruction took over 100 years to complete, and afterwards, in 336 AD Emperor Constantine convened the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea. The Nicaean council is important, as it created the Nicaean Creed, establishing relatively definitively what it meant to be a Christian, most importantly establishing the divinity of Jesus.
The stage starts, and immediately heads south, where the first climb starts after just 4 kilometres, giving a strong break the perfect chance to form. The climb is second category, and at 7.3% for 6.3 km will properly stretch the legs of the riders on this relatively short stage.
After the first climb the next 60 kilometres are largely flat, although they are the only flat kilometres, of the day. At the end of the 60 km we arrive at the days intermediate sprint point in the city of Prusa (Bursa). Prusa, like Nicaea, was part of the Bithynian kingdom before it became part of Rome, and it was here that Hannibal sheltered in his final years after being exiled from Carthage. There was also a silver treasure discovered at Prusa, shown below, probably a wealthy Roman ladies toiletries, which like all good treasures is stored in the British museum.
It is in Prusa that the climbing starts, initially with a bang, 12% for the first kilometre and a half, but then the climb settles down into a long grind, for fully 19.3km at an average gradient of 6.3%. This HC climb is up the mountain known as the Mysian Olympus, and staged host to the major battle the Galatian war, where the Roman army routed the Galitians, allowing them to be driven back to Ancyra.
The decent off the climb is an excellent opportunity for anyone who has jumped across to a teammate up the road, as the 20km before the next climb average 5.6% either up or down, with plenty of technical downhills, short flat sections, and small rises, perfect for helping a couple of strong riders push clear of a disorganised bunch. The next climb is very irregular, averaging 4.3% for its 7.9 category 2 kilometres, but including back to back 2.1 km sections, first at 7.0%, then at 6.4%.
That climb crested with just 15km to go, and the next 12 of them are descending, fast and straight, with only a couple of hairpins before the final 3 kilometres start to rise towards the finish line. First there is a false flat for 1k before the next 1,500 metres rise sharply, averaging 6.7%, and then the final 500m are downhill to the line. The riders should be feeling relatively energetic after a few short stages, and today's gives anyone feeling frisky a chance to create gaps.
Hadrianoi was unsurprisingly founded by emperor Hadrian, in around 131 AD. Hadrianoi's most famous resident was Aelius Aristides, a second sophistic scholar, famous in his time for his oratory. Probably his most famous address, was "Regarding Rome", extolling the glory of Pax Romana, and I have included a section below, which seems very much in the theme celebrating the Empire:
A statue of Aelius Aristides at the Vatican
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