2019 Critérium du Dauphiné Stage 2 Live Coverage
Welcome to our live coverage of Stage 2 of the 2019 Critérium du Dauphiné! Our live profile and commentary are below, followed by a preview of the technical aspects of the route.
Course Preview
The 2nd stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné is played out on lumpy terrain. At 180 kilometres, the races includes eight intermediate hills in the Auvergne region. The last climb is crested 18 kilometres before the finish in Craponne-sur-Arzon.
Stage 2 serves a trying test with a relentless series of energy-sapping uphills. The climbing gets underway as early as kilometre 7 when the riders tackle the Côte de Moussages, which is a 4 kilometres incline with an average gradient of 6.5%. The route continues in undulating fashion to the Côte de la Martel (2.4 kilometres at 5.7%), Côte de Cheylade (4.2 kilometres at 6%), Côte de la Tourbière du Jolan (2 kilometres at 5.5%) and the Côte de Chavanon (3.6 kilometres at 5%). Not hard in themselves, but as the route tackles them in short succession it will wear the riders – and especially the sprinters – out.
A long downhill taks the riders to Grenier-Montgon. A period of relative calm lasts for about 30 kilometres before the second section of uphills begin with the Côte de la Baraque. This 3.9 kilometres at 5.3% is a taster and following a short drop the Côte de la Barbatte appears. The 5.8 kilometres climb at 7% is crested with 42.5 kilometres remaining, while the Côte de Saint-Victor sur Arlanc is the ultimate uphill test. Arguably, this is the hardest climb of the day – 3.1 kilometres at 9.4% – with its peak inside the last 18 kilometres.
The finale takes place on a rolling section. A downslope begins 3 kilometres before the line and the last 500 metres runs false flat uphill.
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