The route climbs from the start and the riders reach the highest point of the day – at 1,265 metres – 30 kilometres later. No KOM points up for grabs though, that happens approximately 10 kilometres later, after a descent and the short climb up the Côte du Mont-Dore – 1.3 kilometres at 6.6%.
That sets the tone. The riders face a multitude of short climbs on a route that’s going either up or down. Shortly after the Mont-Dore the Côte de la Stèle appears – 1.8 kilometres at 5.1% – before a long dowhill takes the riders to Bort-les-Orgues.
The longest climb of the day begins shortly after moving through kilometre 100. The Côte des Plaines is 4.5 kilometres long and averaging 5.5%. Virtually with nog descent the route continues to climb on the Côte des Boissières – 1.2 kilometres at 7.2% – and six kilometres later the riders cross the line for the first time.
The finishing circuit is 36.5 kilometres long and features the Côte de Merlhac – 1.9 kilometres at 5.5% -, while the Côte de Trébiac is expected to be decisive, as the 3.4 kilometres climb at 5.8% peaks out with 1 kilometre remaining. The first half of the last kilometre runs downhill before the second half climbs at 5.6% to the line.
Ride the route yourself? Download GPX stage 2 2023 Tour de France Femmes.
Another interesting read: results 2nd stage 2023 Tour de France Femmes.
Tour de France Femmes 2023 stage 2: route & profile
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