Critérium Monaco   

This race combines the glamour of the Riviera with a fast, technical challenge. Spanning 174 km, the course weaves through the picturesque hills and coastal roads around Monaco, offering sprinters a chance to shine if they can navigate the undulating terrain and tight corners with precision and skill.

The race begins in the heart of Monaco, under the shadow of the Prince’s Palace. The neutralized start leads riders ...

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This race combines the glamour of the Riviera with a fast, technical challenge. Spanning 174 km, the course weaves through the picturesque hills and coastal roads around Monaco, offering sprinters a chance to shine if they can navigate the undulating terrain and tight corners with precision and skill.

The race begins in the heart of Monaco, under the shadow of the Prince’s Palace. The neutralized start leads riders through the city’s iconic streets, familiar from the Monaco Grand Prix, before the flag drops, and the pace kicks up on the coastal road heading west.

The first half of the race features a series of small, rolling hills, including the Col d’Eze, a 7.5 km climb averaging 4.7%. Though not overly steep, its twisting ascent and descent demand sharp bike-handling skills and careful positioning to avoid losing time. A few shorter climbs, like the Côte de Peille (5 km at 5%), further test the peloton’s ability to manage repeated efforts.

As the race progresses, the terrain flattens out, transitioning to fast, wide roads along the coast. However, the technical challenges are far from over, as the riders must navigate a series of hairpin turns and roundabouts as they approach the city-state of Monaco.

The final 10 km take place on a circuit through Monaco, featuring sharp corners, narrow streets, and a short uphill kicker in the Monte Carlo district. Positioning is key as teams fight to control the front heading into the last kilometer. The finishing straight along the Port Hercule waterfront is wide and flat, offering sprinters the perfect stage to unleash their full power in a dramatic high-speed sprint.