We take a look at the route for a new stage race fixture on the Team Sky calendar - the Tour du Poitou-Charentes.
Preview of the 25th edition
With the Vuelta a Espana in full swing Team Sky find themselves attacking on two fronts as they arrive in France for the Tour du Poitou-Charentes.
2011 marks Team Sky’s first visit to the French stage race with the team looking to challenge for overall honours and make a bit of history of their own in the historic region.
The race criss-crosses numerous departments taking in some of the toughest roads in the area as short, sharp climbs intersperse the action over five stages in four days.
A 20.5km time trial will grab the attention of a number of riders on the second of two stages on an action-packed penultimate day, while the final climb of the race could also have a role to play.
Team Sky arrives in south-western France with a strong squad featuring a returning Michael Rogers. The Australian is joined by Davide Appollonio, Michael Barry, Alex Dowsett, Greg Henderson, Jeremy Hunt, Peter Kennaugh and Lars-Petter Nordhaug.
Tuesday 23 August – Stage one: Surgeres to Cognac – 184.2km
The race begins with a run south-east with three categorised climbs presenting the major obstacles during the opening salvo. The stage kicks off in Surgeres, departing from Place du Chateau and heading briefly north before looping back on itself before a sprint point at Rue de la Rochelle (26km). The route then passes through the feed zone before two climbs in quick succession. A 500m ramp leaving Landes (100.9km) gets things started before a second longer climb measuring 1km at an average of 4%. The riders will have to be vigilant as they pass through Bourg Charente ahead of the day’s final ascent. The 1.5km climb at Gensac la Pallue carries an average of 6% and comes roughly 20km from home. From there the route loops back into the famous town of Cognac for the finish.
Wednesday 24 August – Stage two: Cognac to Bressuire – 175.2km
Beginning where the previous day left off, the route heads north out of Cognac to take in an early sprint point at Matha (20km) and a climb - a combination that should allow plenty of scope for a break to move clear. The stage runs nearly the length of the region, continuing north for another sprint just outside Epannes (76.8km). Business picks up as the race skirts around Niort with two climbs acting as a leg-testing environment ahead of the finale. Two ramps within 18km could split things up slightly with the latter climb spanning 1.2km at an average of 5%. One final sprint point is passed in Neuvy Bouin before the riders hit the final climb on entry to Bressuire. There could well be some bids for freedom as the riders cross the line and enter a final 24km finishing circuit around the Place Saint Jacques.
Thursday 25 August – Stage three: Bressuire to Chatellerault – 104.8km
The first of a double-header on the penultimate day, the morning begins with a short blast east. The riders leave the Place Saint Jacques with the first third of the stage taking place in the Deux-Sevres department. A brief 300m rise at Airvault (23km) should be a brief annoyance as the riders enter Vienne and the approach to the finish. A second kilometre-long climb on the Rue Gilbert Landry (48.9km) is tackled before a sprint point at Scorbe Clairvaux. Attention then turns to the finale with a triangular finishing circuit to the south of Chatellerault. The riders cross the line for the first time with 14km remaining for a final run-in that should see the sprinters come to the fore ahead of a bunch kick.
Thursday 25 August – Stage four: Chatellerault (individual time trial) – 20.5km
The decisive penultimate stage is a 20.5km time trial blast around the town of Chatellerault. The riders will tackle the roads on the outskirts in a course that combines long straight drags with key technical sections. The riders will roll down the ramp and head straight into a long run down the D14. A sharp right turn at Le Petit Saint Hilaire (6km) leads the riders on to a gently winding passage down to most southern point of the course. The route then heads back towards the town centre through Targe (14.9km) and onto the streets before a final right hander. The stage ends with a straight run to the line along the Avenue du Marechal Leclerc on a course that should suit the time trial specialists in the peloton and will likely see a new race leader emerge.
Friday 26 August – Stage five: Saint-Jacques de Thouars to Poitiers – 171.4km
The final day begins with a run south-east from the Place Rene Cassin. The stage winds through Taize and back into Vienne with entry to the department marked by a sprint point at Martaize (24.2km). The first of the day’s climbs arrives as the field passes through Beaumont (71.3km), the 1.2km drag averaging out at 8%. The undulations continue on narrow, winding roads en route to the second climb at Vouneuil St. Vienne (84.8km). The route starts to loop back towards Poitiers for two laps of the final finishing circuit and a first glimpse at the race’s sting in the tail. The climb at Lessart is just 500m in length but at an average of 11% will split the contenders over the course of the final laps. Positioning will be essential and the overall contenders will have to be aware as an elite selection will likely form for the final 3km to the line and the exciting conclusion of the race.
