The Tour Down Under’s 1st stage is an out-and-back leg into the Adelaide Hills. Following the start in the north of Adelaide the race takes in one classified climb before a likely fast finishers showdown in Port Adelaide
Stage 2 features one KOM climb in the early stages of the race, so the sprinters should be ready for their second opportunity. Timing will be essential as the last 2 kilometres in Angaston are a false flat. In 2014, Simon Gerrans bested André Greipel on this arrival.
With an elevation gain of 3,337 metres, the 3rd stage is played out on more demanding terrain. The major part of the race consists of seven 13.9 kilometres laps on a lumpy circuit around Uraidla.
Stage 4 travels from Unley to Campbelltown. The route mostly travels on rolling roads, but the finale is something else. Corkscrew Road is a 3.7 kilometres climb with an average slope of 6.4% and ramps up to 15%. The summit is crested with 5.7 kilometres remaining before a technical downhill finish into Campbelltown.
The Tour Down Under’s 5th stage is likely to be another chance for the sprinters. At 149.5 kilometres, the race travels from Glenelg to Strathalbyn.
The Queen Stage on the final day of action is not only the toughest, it also is the longest race. At 151.5 kilometres, the McLaren Vale-Willunga Hill race is familiar, but it has never included as the climax to the six-day stage race in the Adelaide Hills. The final haul up is 3 kilometres and averaging 7%. Who is going to challenge Richie Porte? The Tasmanian has dominated Willunga Hill in the last five years.
Tour Down Under 2019: routes, profiles, more
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