With no time trial, stage to top of Mentougou Miaofeng Mountain likely to decide the race
Featuring what is being billed as the toughest stage in its three year history plus the most difficult route since the race was introduced, details of this year’s Tour of Beijing have been unveiled.
The standout stage will take place on day four of the WorldTour race, with the riders travelling 150.5 difficult kilometres from Yanqing to Mentougou Miaofeng Mountain.
“A stunning day on the road, the race passes through the Great Wall after just 22kms and over three other 1st, 2nd and 3rd category ascents before the final showdown on Miaofeng,” states Alan Rushton, Technical Consultant to the Tour of Beijing about the day’s climbs.
The stage will have a strong effect on the final outcome, but there will be plenty of other opportunities for attacks.
The race begins with a 190.5 kilometre race from Shunyi to Huairou Studio City and looks set to be decided in a sprint finish. It does include a climb, but this takes place early on and is thought unlikely to have much of a lasting effect.
It also includes three intermediate sprints, although it is as yet unclear if these will feature time bonuses.
Day two is the longest of the five stages, running 201.5 kilometres from Huairou Studio City to Yanqing. It will be enlivened by three category two climbs. Although the final 50 kilometres is slightly downhill, Rushton believes that these ascents will ensure a selective finish. If so, it could well bring about a change in the yellow jersey.
Day three is constantly up and down, ensuring that the 176 kilometres from Yanqing to Qiandiajian will be a very tough day for the riders, and likely suit the climbers. “[There are] seven classified climbs including two second category and the 820m Si Hai first category climb,” said Rushton.
Day four has been mentioned above and will likely upend the general classification, with the summit finish at Mentougou Miaofeng Mountain the hardest conclusion of this year’s race.
After that, the riders will duke it out over 117 kilometres from Tian an men Square to Bird’s Nest Piazza. It follows the blueprint of the previous two editions, and takes in seven laps of a 7.5 kilometre circuit which brings the riders past Bird’s Nest Stadium and the Water Cube aquatic facility. “It’s flat, fast and ideal for the sprinters,” says Rushton.
The race will once again be run by Global Cycling Promotion, a company connected to the UCI and directed by Alain Rumpf. He says that the race is constantly developing.
“We continue to work hard on the course that provides scenic and exciting stages that both showcase the best of Beijing and provide a challenging race for riders,” he stated.
“Now in its third edition, the Tour of Beijing continues to grow and improve off the successes and learning’s from the first two editions.
“It is also in our priorities to ensure the race continues to get closer to the ever growing number of cycling fans in Beijing and it is something we are working with the Local Organising Committee to achieve.”
The 2012 Tour of Beijing was won by world TT champion Tony Martin, who beat Astana’s Francesco Gavazzi by forty seconds and Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky) by 46.
Tour of Beijing 2013 (WorldTour):
Stage One, October 11th: Shunyi to Huairou Studio City, 190.5km
Stage Two, October 12th: Huairou Studio City to Yanqing, 201.5km
Stage Three, October 13th: Yanqing to Qiandiajian, 176km
Stage Four, October 14th: Yanqing to Mentougou Miaofeng Mountain, 150.5km
Stage Five, October 15th: Tian an men Square to Bird’s Nest Piazza, 117km