It’s an enticing route for Classics specialist. The likes of Van der Poel, Van Aert and Pedersen. The city centre circuit is Glasgow is sure to wear the riders out, although the climbs are neither long nor steep. It’s the technical nature of it, with contant twisting and turning in combination with the hills.
The race sets off from Holyrood Park in the shadow of Edinburgh’s dormant Volcano, Arthur’s Seat, before heading up the Royal Mile and through Edinburgh’s Old Town, passing under Edinburgh Castle as the peloton heads down the Mound and towards Queensferry, where the rainbow stripes contenders cross the Queensferry Crossing. They will then be heading west through Fife towards Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Stirling. The route passes near landmarks including the Kelpies, the Falkirk Wheel, Carron Valley and the Crow Road.
The first climb appears after 70 kilometres in the Carron Valley. It’s a nice way to stretch the legs – 4.4 kilometres at 3.4% – before the Crow Road throws in 5.6 kilometres at 4% some 15 kilometres later. From here, the riders descend into the Glasgow finishing circuit.
Entering from Glasgow’s west end after 120 kilometres, the riders complete ten laps of a 14.3 kilometres circuit. It’s very technical with punchy short climbs and plenty of turns – 42, to be precise. The Montrose Street climb stands out with 200 metres at 7.7%, but it doesn’t come in isolation. There are several similar pinches per lap.
Most important of Montrose Street is its proximity to the finish. From the top, there’s just 1.5 kilometres to the line via a technical downhill run-in with five corners to negotiate. Moreover, there’s a tight chicane with 750 metres to go. Two lefthand turns before the final 400 metres are dead straight.
Another interesting read: results and start list 2023 World Cycling Championships 2023 in Glasgow.
World Cycling Championships 2023 – Glasgow, Scotland
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