Race Design Thread

[TheBigT]

Tour of Australia - Stage 4

Stage 4, and another hilly day as we begin in our second state of the race, Victoria. We start in the city of Horsham and head south-east towards the sandstone hills of the Grampians National Park. Plenty on offer for helicopter photographers here, with some stunning rock formations and waterfalls sure to satisfy the viewers deprived of stunning backdrops in yesterdays stage. After about 50km we hit the start of the climbs, with the trip up to Reed's lookout. from here we head down to the finishing town of Halls Gap. Thankfully we aren't done after 70km, and there remains 6 laps of a 21km circuit (taking us to 196km for the stage) for the riders to complete, each including the climb up to the shoulders of Mt. Rosea. Depending on time gaps, I can see either a break-away taking this, or one of the better uphill sprinters.

Climbs
51km, 10.24km at 4.3%
80, 101, 122, 143, 164, 185 km 5.24km at 5.8%

2 laps of 6 shown.

 

[Another_Dutch_Guy]

The Australia Tour looks very promising so far. The first two stages would also be a perfect addition to the Tour down Under.

 

[Arnout]

Tour of Greece Stage 3 - 162km: Thessaloniki - Veria

Don't be fooled by the profile: this is a flat stage. After the hard first two days, the climbers get a bit of rest today, and the sprinters will have their only real chance on the way from Thessaloniki to Veria.

Thessaloniki, the decor for the finish of the previous stage, is an economic motor for Greece. It's port is important for Greece and the surrounding countries as well, and maybe this is where the country needs to focus on in the coming years: expand and exploit what is working. Thessaloniki is also home to 15 monuments of the UNESCO list, the Panaghia Chalkeon is just one of them.

After leaving the city, the riders head towards the flat lands of Greece, where the main agricultural production of the country is based.

Meandering through the landscape, the riders pass Giannitsa, the main agricultural center of the region, before heading towards the finish town of the stage: Veria. The last 7km are a challenge for the real sprinters, with an average percentage of a little above 1%. While this will not create big gaps, it should give more riders a chance to compete for the win.

 

[togo95]

Tour of Yemen - 14

Stage 14: Shibam - Sana'a; 205 km

Finally the last stage is here. It starts in Shibam and after 30 km peloton is in the capital of Yemen. There are 4 circuits each with same hill but length of this circuits is decreasing. Final kilometers of this tour lead through the downtown of Sana'a.

Climbs:
Ardiah (97, 141, 166, 188) - 5,4 km; 6,4%

 

[TheBigT]

Tour of Australia - Stage 5

Stage 5 sees us head to the coast, along one of Australia's most famous roads, the Great Ocean Road. Today's stage travels 188km from Port Fairy to the seaside town of Apollo Bay. Again, some spectacular scenery, with such coastal features as the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge around the halfway mark at Port Campbell. Riders then travel through the Otway national park, past Cape Otway and down to the finish line. Like any coastal stage crosswinds could cause havoc amongst the peloton, especially with a south-westerly breeze, but I expect the sprinters teams to bring this back for their men.

Climbs
122.5km, 3.38 at 5.5%
164.7km, 3.65 at 5.5%

 

[Arnout]

I never realized that Yemen has altitudes like that. Will be demanding for the low-land riders.

Tour of Greece stage 4 - 201km: Edessa - Florinas EO15

(1) Cat. HC 19.5km, 6.4%
(2) Cat. 2 4.5km, 8.9%
(3) Cat. HC 24.5km, 4.4%

A bit of an uncharacteristic stage for this Tour of Greece, with straightforward climbs and flat sections inbetween. The final climb is one of the highest accessible ascents in Greece, but unfortunately also very solitary. Climbers without a lot of endurance have a chance here.

We start in Edessa, an ancient city with a history dating back to Roman times, nowadays home to some 30,000 inhabitants.

After exiting the cities, the riders head towards the Voras mountain range, for the first climb of the day. These mountains are used as ski resort in winter, and are a major source of income for the start city of the day.

Instead of all the way going to the ski resort, the riders stay on Kamaiktsalan Road, to descent on the other side of the mountain pass. The climb is steep and demanding, especially the first half. Over the whole distance, the gradient is 6.4%, but with flat and even downhill sections near the end, the beginning of the climb will be hard on slow starters.

Descending, view view towards Limni Vegoritida lake is glorious. The riders will have the chance to admire it, the road is wide and well-surfaced (photo taken towards other side).

After passing the lake, the riders arrive in a lowland section, passing Himaditida lake, a natural park, riding towards the second category climb in the middle of the race.

The climb is short, but steep, with an average of 8.9% and the 2nd category designation is well-deserved. While attacks are not expected, riders without good legs will get another indication of their finishing position today. The main highlight of this climb is Moni Panagias monastry.

The downhill section, back in the lowland between the two mountain ranges of today, is much easier than the preceding climb, and a long flat section follows, before the final climb of the day, Varnous mountain, starting in Florina.

The main section of the ascent is done on the E68 between Florina and the country of Albania, and is not that steep, but when the riders turn off the main road, on the E6 European long distance path towards Agios Germanos and the Prespa lakes, the road reaches percentages of over 13% for the final 2 kilometers.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I really have to say, I find it quite difficult to understand why Greece is so peripheral to the world of cycling. They have perfect terrain for some great racing.

 

[Arnout]

I thought the same designing the race. But I think the terrain might be too hard for people to start cycling. It really is constantly up-down, also (maybe even especially) near population centers. Their track culture is much bigger.

 

[Progsprach]

Niedersachsenrundfahrt Stage 2

Buxtehude - Osnabrück (236km)

I'm back. After my vacation I caught a severe case of olympic fever, but I finally managed to finish this race. I'd have liked to come back with a bang,but since were still in Northern Niedersachsen I need this transitional stage to get to the hills. Three intermediates with time bonuses on offer and the mass sprint will be the only highlights of this one, but from here there's two hilly stages ascending in difficulty on the programme. The only problem for the riders will be the long distance, it's completely flat.

Route:

Profile:

 

[Progsprach]

Niedersachsenrundfahrt Stage 3

Osnabrück - Hagen (201km)

And here are the first hills. It's a circuity classics style stage. After 50 rather easy kilometers the riders reach Bielefeld, where an intermediate sprint is held. The terrain is not too diffcult for another about 40km, but then we reach Hagen for a cat. 4 ascent of 3,5 km@4% done seven times including as a summit finish. Those TT specialists or time bonus collectors who managed to stay with the group today may think they're through, but with four times the altitude tomorrow, we'll really know who can win only then.

Route:

Profile:

 

[SetonHallPirate]

Here's one I just did, a single-day race across Puerto Rico. The start and end are both flat, which is a necessity if you want to have the race finish in any sort of population center, but at 7,751 meters of climbing (that's roughly 25,000 feet, for those of you counting at home), and a ramp of 32.8% about three-quarters of the way through, this one is not likely to end in a field sprint, regardless of how flat the final 20 kilometers are.

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1531349

 

[Libertine Seguros]

That's a pretty novel race. And also nice to see a Classic going from sea level to 1000m and back. I just wonder if it might be an idea to, after the summit of the final climb, go straight onto the 128 and descend into Ponce to finish? That does shave some distance off, but bringing the final major climb closer than 60km out may balance that?

I like the continuity of climbs and rolling terrain in the middle part of the race though. Some nice up-and-down between kms 120 and 150 especially - may not cause major fireworks but the riders' legs will certainly feel them later on.

 

[TheBigT]

Tour of Australia - Stage 6

We continue along the Great Ocean Road today, with a short 167km stage. Again it's a flat stage, with just the one categorized climb, although it's not as easy as the profile would suggest, with twisting, and occasionally narrow, roads proving the norm all day. Again, another day for the helicopters to capture some great ocean scenery, as we head through the tourist town of Lorne, past the lighthouse at Airey's Inlet and past the perfect breakers at Bells Beach. Finally, we arrive at the finish at the home town of Cadel Evans, Barwon Heads

Climbs
3.2km, 10.9km at 4.4%

 

[Arnout]

Tour of Greece Stage 5 - 170km: Kastoria - Krania Elassonos

(1) Cat. 4 2.9km, 5.4%
(2) Cat. 2 8.4km, 4.7%
(3) Cat. 3 4.7km, 6.1%
(4) Cat. 4 2.7km, 5.5%
(5) Cat. 2 11.9km, 3.4%

After the demanding mountaintop finish of yesterday, today is a shorter stage with less severe climbs. It is not easy though, with 5 categorized climbs and a lot of smaller ascents. Between yesterday and tomorrow, the GC riders will probably take a day's rest, giving opportunity to a strong finisher in a reduced bunch sprint or an attacker to win the stage.

We start in Kastoria, a place that could easily have been a finish stage with a remarkable peninsula, for a sort of steep classic finish.

Not this time though, the riders go inland, towards the Pindus mountain range. Before entering the highlands however, the riders turn southwards, using the lower parts of central Greece to continue on their way.

During the stage, the riders won't pass any town of importance. The biggest is Grevena, a town of some 10,000 inhabitants.

Through the agricultural hills, the riders enter the Kambounia mountains, a range originating in the Olympus mountain. This is the scene for the last category 2 climb of the day, a long but shallow climb towards the village of Deskati.

Slowly descending, the riders arrive at the foot of the last ascent, 8km from the finish. Again, not a steep hill, but after the efforts of this week and today, it will be felt. Nevertheless, not only real climbers will have a chance here, with a gradient of some 4 or 5 percent, this little hill can be tackled by classic riders too.

After the ascent and the subsequent descent, the riders turn of the EO26, to ride towards the finish town of today, the village of Krania Elassonos, to battle for the stage victory.

 

[Another_Dutch_Guy]

Here's one I just did, a single-day race across Puerto Rico. The start and end are both flat, which is a necessity if you want to have the race finish in any sort of population center, but at 7,751 meters of climbing (that's roughly 25,000 feet, for those of you counting at home), and a ramp of 32.8% about three-quarters of the way through, this one is not likely to end in a field sprint, regardless of how flat the final 20 kilometers are.

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1531349

Looks promising! Although I'm affraid that 30% wall does not exist. Just zoom in at 'Sattelite' mode and you don't see any road or whatsoever.

 

[SetonHallPirate]

That's a pretty novel race. And also nice to see a Classic going from sea level to 1000m and back. I just wonder if it might be an idea to, after the summit of the final climb, go straight onto the 128 and descend into Ponce to finish? That does shave some distance off, but bringing the final major climb closer than 60km out may balance that?

I like the continuity of climbs and rolling terrain in the middle part of the race though. Some nice up-and-down between kms 120 and 150 especially - may not cause major fireworks but the riders' legs will certainly feel them later on.

Actually, Ponce is as much of a problem in terms of a long flat section at the finish.

I suppose it could swing south and then come up the coast towards Mayaguez, and that would cause some crosswind splits, although I believe the prevailing winds are in the wrong direction.

 

[SetonHallPirate]

Looks promising! Although I'm affraid that 30% wall does not exist. Just zoom in at 'Sattelite' mode and you don't see any road or whatsoever.

Drats...hadn't looked.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Going to start a new race. Well, really, I'm not. This is a route for an existing race.

The Tour du Maroc takes place in March, and has a long history - being run off-and-on since 1937, although it has never managed more than 7 consecutive editions - and tends to take in 10 or 11 road stages. As a 2.2 race, these tend to be in the 120-160km range. It is one of the most important and prestigious races on the UCI Africa Tour.

I felt that the race could be revamped a bit, and brought up a level in line with the UCI's love for globalisation, as it could easily be a challenging and exciting race, but also racing over the longer, tougher stages could also serve to aid raising the level of African cycling and also attract more outsiders. After all, there could be a decent field at this event - the FMRC could promote some of its teams to Continental level, as they usually enter four, then there's a couple of Algerian continental teams, some national teams from other African countries with an interest in the sport such as Burkina Faso and Eritrea, the two South African continental teams and some other Pro-Continental and Continental teams, most likely from Europe - such as Spanish and French teams, or developmental teams like Itera-Katyusha and Astana Continental. With this view I've attempted to make a Tour du Maroc that would suit a slightly higher level than the existing race, and show some of the country's amazing scenery as well as staying true to the major cities of the country and those that have been supportive of the race.

Stage 1: أكادير - الصويرة (Agadir - Essaouira), 183km

Climbs:
Imzi (cat.3) 5,4km @ 4,9%
Douar Tisgharin (cat.3) 5,6km @ 4,0%

The Grand Départ takes place in the major southwestern population centre of Agadir, which was the scene of a major earthquake 60 years ago and also the centre of the diplomatic crisis over Morocco before World War 1. The rebuilt port city makes a nice, dynamic setting for the beginning of the race over this rolling course towards Essaouira, the town whose port was ostensibly created to replace Agadir's.

The early phase of the stage takes place along the Atlantic coast, taking in sights such as Tamri National Park, before heading inland for a loop containing our first categorised climb up to Imzi. After crossing the summit of this it's a long and rolling trip over an elevated plateau before our second climb of the day, another gradual drag on Mont Amessitène to the village of Douar Tisgharin. From there it's a descent and gradual downhill flat towards the finish, with the last 30km being particularly exposed and leaving a lot of options should the wind blow; echelon action is very possible here if the weather plays ball. Otherwise, it will be a gallop into Essaouira for the sprint; the heat and the rolling terrain may dislodge a few, but I would expect the péloton to still be fairly sizeable at the finish when they get to the walled town, established by the Portuguese, but very much a north African poster town, with white houses, sand-coloured fortifications. This is a common host of the Tour du Maroc, and it will stay that way.

Agadir:

Essaouira:

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Stage 2: آسفي - مراكش (Safi - Marrakech), 151km

The second stage here in Morocco is a shortish stage which begins in the important trading and fishing city of Safi (actually Asfi, but its name was Latinized during its colonial history), one of the oldest cities in Morocco, approximately 100km north of yesterday's finish in Essaouira. The city has been a regular host of the Tour du Maroc, hosting a stage finish and subsequent start in 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2011, either late in the race, before heading up the coast to El Jadida, or early on in the race heading to Essaouira. Today, however, we're heading inland, to one of Morocco's biggest cities, the enormous metropolis of Marrakech, with over a million inhabitants and one of the busiest squares in the world, the famous جامع الفناء (Djemaa el-Fna, or Jâmi' al Fana'). This is also a common stop-off for the Tour, with the race having visited in 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011 and 2012, and so why change a good thing?

The stage is pretty straightforward; the early flat sections give way to endless uphill false flat towards the town of Chemaia, then it's more straight roads over mostly flat landscape, pausing to turn right towards Marrakech. At this point the false flat changes from uphill to downhill, as riders approach the city of Tamensourt, a new town created as recently as 2005 to house some of the overspill population from Marrakech. Then the riders arrive in Marrakech itself.

The run-in to the finish is a difficult one, with several sweeping bends between Place Bab Doukkala and the finishing line on Avenue Mohammed V, though there is only one real corner, mostly instead it is just sweeping bends. There is a short circuit to the west of the city centre in Marrakech before the second and final passage of the finishing line too, taking in the new city gates, Bab Jdid (literally "New Door"), Stade El Harti and the affluent plaza in Guéliz before returning to Place Bab Doukkala for the run-in.

This one should be one for the sprinters, but I'm trying to innovate a bit with the pacing, so it's not going to stay that way for long.

Safi:

Marrakech:

 

[SetonHallPirate]

Looks promising! Although I'm affraid that 30% wall does not exist. Just zoom in at 'Sattelite' mode and you don't see any road or whatsoever.

Just looked...pretty sure there's a road underneath that tree cover...I can see the "seam" in the trees, anyway.

 

[Another_Dutch_Guy]

Just looked...pretty sure there's a road underneath that tree cover...I can see the "seam" in the trees, anyway.

That's some good news then!

 

[SetonHallPirate]

That's some good news then!

I just need some organizer to take that road stage up...and the UCI to make it a WorldTour (or even 1.1) event! Would make Liege-Bastogne-Liege look like a picnic!

 

[TheBigT]

Tour of Australia - Stage 7

Welcome to Tasmania, the 3rd state so far in this tour. Today is 194km, starting from Ferry Dock in Devonport, the Tasmanian mooring of the Spirit of Tasmania. From Devonport, the riders head south through the Tasmanian countryside, with Mt. Roland an ever present figure on the horizon. Having passed by the mountain, we turn west, crrossing Lake Cethana. Tasmania's rugged beauty is on show for the viewers, with Cradle Mountain in view for the majority of the day, as well as sites such as Reynold's Falls and Lake Mackintosh. The racing could suit a breakaway at this stage of the tour, although if the peloton does get back, the short yet steep hill just 5km from the finish in Rosebery should stop it being a sprinters victory.

Climbs
28.7km, 2.49km at 4.9%
47.3km, 3.55km at 6.7%
79.4km, 7.48km at 5.4%
103.4km, 9.15km at 6.6%
136.7km, 1.86km at 6.4%
184.9km, 4.06km at 7.8%

 

[TheBigT]

Tour of Australia - Stage 8

Another day in the Apple Isle, and it's a long one, some 233km over Tasmania's Central Plateau. We start in the town of Queenstown, home of the famous gravel football oval. From here we climb immediately, up to the road across lake Burbury. We keep heading westward, offering the helicopters great views of lake St. Clair and the Walls of Jerusalem National Parks. After the climb out of Tarraleah, we slowly drop off the plateau, past the beautiful waterfalls of Mt. Field National Park and into the stunning finishing town of New Norfolk, on the banks of the Derwent. Given the run in, I would expect a sprint finish here.

Climbs.
1.5km, 3.74km at 6.7%
27.9km, 3.75km at 5.3%
61.9km, 8.45km at 5.0%
131.6km, 3.62km at 7.1%
149.8km, 1.80km at 5.9%
180.7km, 3.23km at 6.9%

Note the first 35km are missing from both the map and elevation profile (tracksforbikers only likes doing 200km routes).

 

[TheBigT]

Tour of Australia - Stage 9

Well those of you who looked at my Tour of Tasmania may have noticed the previous two stages were slight alterations to stages in that race. Today's stage, however, is a carbon copy of the queen stage in the ToT. 184km from Birch's Bay to the top of Mt. Wellington. The first 35km hug the coastline, before heading inland. We meander back and forth over the peninsula, before turning northwards towards Hobart and the finishing climb. The numerous small climbs dotting the course could prove tempting to those chasing the KoM jersey.
At 134km, the riders have the finish in sight, but instead we turn south again, heading through Kingston and along the shores of Sandy bay to Hobart's southern suburbs. Riders then climb up Mt. Nelson, before descending back into South Hobart. From here, we finally turn back towards the imposing slopes of Mt. Wellington. After just over 18km of ascent, the riders can take in the spectacular view, content with the fact they have made it through to the first rest day (hopefully unscathed).

Climbs.
24.2km, 2.03km at 6.4%
44.2km, 3.94km at 8.1%
61.1km, 4.41km at 5.3%
80.1km, 3.86km at 5.6%
113.7km, 3.28km at 7.6%
124.6km, 5.72km at 5.6%
144.7km, 2.97km at 5.0%
157.1km, 4.79km at 5.6%
Mt. Wellington, 18.34km, first 5.5 at 5.7, some false flat, and then 12.15km at 7.1%