The riders clip into their pedals in seaside town Ryde for a day of zigzagging around the island. In fact, it’s a perfect day to get to know the Isle of Wight, as the route moves through Cowes, Sandown, Shanklin, Totland, Ventnor and Yarmouth. No part of the hilly Isle is left unvisited.
Three intermediate climbs stand out. Brading Down – 1.9 kilometres at 5.8% is tackled early on -, while Cowleaze Hill and Zig Zag Road appear in the last 40 kilometres, when the riders race on the southside of the island, right next to the English Channel. Both climbs are similar. Cowleaze Hill is 1.7 kilometres at 6.1%, Zig Zag Road 1.4 kilometres at 6.3%.
But, obviously, the final clash takes place on the finish climb. After the final 20 kilometres along the stunning Military Road towards The Needles Landmark Attraction the riders enter the 2 kilometres climb up to Tennyson Down. The final 400 metres are particularly intimidating, as this section goes up at 9.6%.
The first three riders on the line gain time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds.
Ride the route yourself? Download GPX stage 8.
Tour of Britain 2022 – stage 8: route, profile, more
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