How hard are the climbs on Le Tour stage 1?
Discussion
Stage 1 is officially 'classified' as flat yet those who have climbed Buttertubs and Grinton would surely disagree?
In professional terms how tough are the climbs on S1 and will they make any real difference to the outcome of the race? Buttertubs will no doubt be over in 15 mins, hardly Alpe d'Huez.
What I'm most curious about is to how much difference the two 'inclines' in Harrogate will make; both the climb up from the Skipton Road and the 'kick' up past Betty's, I think the Skipton Road drag could really take the edge of the sprinters.
In professional terms how tough are the climbs on S1 and will they make any real difference to the outcome of the race? Buttertubs will no doubt be over in 15 mins, hardly Alpe d'Huez.
What I'm most curious about is to how much difference the two 'inclines' in Harrogate will make; both the climb up from the Skipton Road and the 'kick' up past Betty's, I think the Skipton Road drag could really take the edge of the sprinters.
Stage 1 will be a sprint I would have thought, those climbs will be easy for those lot and that climb you mention is not going to take them 15 mins, that is for sure. the womens KOM is 15 mins, the blokes is 10, they'll be somewhere in between, the sprint teams will control the entire stage after the break has been let go.
Stage 2 slightly more interesting, but I don't think there is enough there to slow down the sprinters.
Its a common misconception that pro's GUN it up every single climb, when the pro race came through Surrey, they went up a few of the climbs at a fairly sedate pace (considering what they're capable of). Ultimately, even if one of the climber types attacks and gets a gap, nobody is going to be able to stay away with Tony Martin riding them down for the cav sprint.
Stage 2 slightly more interesting, but I don't think there is enough there to slow down the sprinters.
Its a common misconception that pro's GUN it up every single climb, when the pro race came through Surrey, they went up a few of the climbs at a fairly sedate pace (considering what they're capable of). Ultimately, even if one of the climber types attacks and gets a gap, nobody is going to be able to stay away with Tony Martin riding them down for the cav sprint.
This is a very generalised comment, but cat 3 and 4 climbs are less steep and not long, as such the typical "sprinters" are able to keep up with the peleton and specialised climbers have less advantage.
Cat 2 is borderline, Cat 1 and HC it is climber territory and any attacks on them make it very hard for sprinters to stay in touch.
There are exceptions though, there was a very steep, but short Cat 3/4 climb (Breton Wall?) in the TdF a few years back and because it was towards the end of a stage, only a few sprinters made it over in touch.
I think some of the UK climbs are exaggerated too. Holme Moss is just a token Cat 2 IMO. Yes, it might be one of the tougher climbs in the UK, but it doesn't really compare to a "true" cat 2.
Cat 2 is borderline, Cat 1 and HC it is climber territory and any attacks on them make it very hard for sprinters to stay in touch.
There are exceptions though, there was a very steep, but short Cat 3/4 climb (Breton Wall?) in the TdF a few years back and because it was towards the end of a stage, only a few sprinters made it over in touch.
I think some of the UK climbs are exaggerated too. Holme Moss is just a token Cat 2 IMO. Yes, it might be one of the tougher climbs in the UK, but it doesn't really compare to a "true" cat 2.
Edited by matt-ITR on Wednesday 25th June 13:32
tty death, Buttertubs is a nursery slope then 
I did these two this morning for the first (and probably last) time! Prior to today the only climb ive done is Ditchling Beacon two weeks ago on the L2B ride. (Im a southerner - just up here for a week and brought my bike)
I'll admit i did walk about 100 yards of the steepest part of buttertubs (which is actually about halfway up), but managed Grinton non-stop ok.
Thought my placements on the Strava leaderboards were respectable for a relative noob to road riding.
http://www.strava.com/activities/157939471
Looking forward to watching the Pro's do it on the TdF - i know i will be shaking my head in disbelief!
I'll admit i did walk about 100 yards of the steepest part of buttertubs (which is actually about halfway up), but managed Grinton non-stop ok.
Thought my placements on the Strava leaderboards were respectable for a relative noob to road riding.
http://www.strava.com/activities/157939471
Looking forward to watching the Pro's do it on the TdF - i know i will be shaking my head in disbelief!
I did the whole of Stage 1 a few weeks back!
First 40 miles is pretty much flat (Leeds to Buckden) - then you got 2 climbs. First climb out of Buckden is a nice climb, not steep but gradual. The main one is Buttertubs which is tough (there are a few steep kickers) but rewarding once you get to the top of Moorland.
Grinton Moor is probably not as hard as Buttertubs but defo not a easy climb; it does feel pretty long.
The last 40 miles has a bit of everything, fast flats and a few short sharp climbs. As you get into Harrogate, its all flat so expect the pro's to really pick up the speed as they head out of Ripon.
It's a great stage and can't wait to see it when the pro's do it :-)
First 40 miles is pretty much flat (Leeds to Buckden) - then you got 2 climbs. First climb out of Buckden is a nice climb, not steep but gradual. The main one is Buttertubs which is tough (there are a few steep kickers) but rewarding once you get to the top of Moorland.
Grinton Moor is probably not as hard as Buttertubs but defo not a easy climb; it does feel pretty long.
The last 40 miles has a bit of everything, fast flats and a few short sharp climbs. As you get into Harrogate, its all flat so expect the pro's to really pick up the speed as they head out of Ripon.
It's a great stage and can't wait to see it when the pro's do it :-)
Edited by SR7492 on Wednesday 25th June 17:35
SR7492 said:
I did the whole of Stage 1 a few weeks back!
First 40 miles is pretty much flat (Leeds to Buckden) - then you got 2 climbs. First climb out of Buckden is a nice climb, not steep but gradual. The main one is Buttertubs which is tough (there are a few steep kickers) but rewarding once you get to the top of Moorland.
Grinton Moor is probably not as hard as Buttertubs but defo not a easy climb; it does feel pretty long.
The last 40 miles has a bit of everything, fast flats and a few short sharp climbs. As you get into Harrogate, its all flat so expect the pro's to really pick up the speed as they head out of Ripon.
It's a great stage and can't wait to see it when the pro's do it :-)
Same here, second weekend in may, when it was P155ing it down all weekend! Buttertubs was a good climb, but not huge, the descent was good though! The ride into Harrogate will see them flying along, will be nice to watch the stage and recognise the bits as they're going along! First 40 miles is pretty much flat (Leeds to Buckden) - then you got 2 climbs. First climb out of Buckden is a nice climb, not steep but gradual. The main one is Buttertubs which is tough (there are a few steep kickers) but rewarding once you get to the top of Moorland.
Grinton Moor is probably not as hard as Buttertubs but defo not a easy climb; it does feel pretty long.
The last 40 miles has a bit of everything, fast flats and a few short sharp climbs. As you get into Harrogate, its all flat so expect the pro's to really pick up the speed as they head out of Ripon.
It's a great stage and can't wait to see it when the pro's do it :-)
Edited by SR7492 on Wednesday 25th June 17:35
The stage profiles provided in the following should give you some idea.. For Tour de France purpose, Stage 1 is considered "flat" and it will be a sprint finish.
Stage 1 - http://www.letour.fr/le-tour/2014/us/stage-1.html
Stage 10, first hilly stage - http://www.letour.fr/le-tour/2014/us/stage-10.html
Stage 14, mountains - http://www.letour.fr/le-tour/2014/us/stage-14.html
Stage 1 - http://www.letour.fr/le-tour/2014/us/stage-1.html
Stage 10, first hilly stage - http://www.letour.fr/le-tour/2014/us/stage-10.html
Stage 14, mountains - http://www.letour.fr/le-tour/2014/us/stage-14.html
Jenkins road RIGHT at the end of stage two could potentially upset the sprinters. Although short if a climber type attacks right at the start and nails it to the top he's only got a mile and a half or so to the finish. I think it'll be an interesting stage.
In fact the last 15 miles or so of stage two has some short but steep climbs in that might upset the sprinters. (they nearly killed me on Tuesday!!!)
In fact the last 15 miles or so of stage two has some short but steep climbs in that might upset the sprinters. (they nearly killed me on Tuesday!!!)
okgo said:
I think people are doing the 'sprinters' a bit of a disservice tbh...!
Not at all. What they do is amazing. I was just assuming the tour organisers put a fecking steep hill through a housing estate right at the end of the stage for a reason.They'll all probably waft up it like its not even there! The only reason i think it'll factor at all is because i nearly vommed my lungs up trying to set a decent time up there. Likes been said, they're all on a very different level.Pretty sure the KOM time will get smashed a week on sunday!
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