With 3 hors categorie climbs (including the final climb) and a 2° categorie climb at beginning of the stage, Mount Haku - Mount Tateyama is the second stage of Tour of the Sanreizan (Sacred Mountains). The stage starts in the first of the three sacred mountains in Japan, Mount Hakusan; a very beautiful and snow-covered mountain. The first kilometers of the stage are pretty nice and the peloton enjoy the exotic view of the Ish...
Read moreWith 3 hors categorie climbs (including the final climb) and a 2° categorie climb at beginning of the stage, Mount Haku - Mount Tateyama is the second stage of Tour of the Sanreizan (Sacred Mountains). The stage starts in the first of the three sacred mountains in Japan, Mount Hakusan; a very beautiful and snow-covered mountain. The first kilometers of the stage are pretty nice and the peloton enjoy the exotic view of the Ishikahama Prefecture.
Taking the Route 360, a well asphalted highway, the group of cyclist will start the first serious climb of the day; Mount Ningyo. With a 8% average of gradient the current sprinter that leads the race will end in the back of the peloton very quick, as the teams of the GC contenders push their pace to break the sprinters of the group.
After crowning the port starts a very technical descent to get close to the second climb of the stage; Mt. Kongodo, a small but a very steep mount with an average of 6%. Most of the team mates will be exhausted during this climb, as the riders interested to catch the blue jersey will put their trains to work and reduce the other helpers in the way to the final climb.
The last downhill from Kongodo will lead the small leading group back to the Route 360 and the favorites will have some rest while passing next to the Tsubedatani Camping Ground, and enjoy the beautiful lake. In front of them, the formidable Mount Tateyama. The second sacred mountain of Japan, the only one without snow and 3015 mts above the sea level, is the last climb of the day (HC) and will be the first serious test the GC contenders.
With an overall ramp of 12%, the front group of favorites and the strongest team mates will do their last effort for their leaders to leave them in a good position to try an attack. The key place to try to break the group, 7 km to finish, a section with a max ramp of 19% is the perfect place to launch an attack, however the leaders need to dose their energies since finish line stills a bit far away. Althought is not the king stage, every GC leader will show their condition to fight for the blue jersey or will fade behind of the sprinters at the end of the day.
