The peloton rolls into Italy for Stage 2 of the Tour de France, a 199km (124 mi) hilly route from Cesenatico to Bologna. While not featuring the brutal climbs of the Alps, Stage 2 promises to be a challenging day for the riders, particularly those looking to shake things up in the General Classification (GC) battle.
The Terrain:
This stage is classified as hilly, with a total elevation gain of 1,850 meters (6,070 ft). The route traverses a mix of rolling hills and flatter sections, culminating in a hilly circuit around Bologna. The finale features two ascents of the iconic San Luca climb, a brutal 1.9km (1.2 mi) slog with an average gradient of 10.6%.
Who Will Shine?
With its punchy climbs and demanding finale, Stage 2 is a perfect opportunity for punchers and climbers to test their legs and potentially gain some early advantage in the GC. Riders like Julian Alaphilippe (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl), Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates), and Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) could be strong contenders for the stage win.
Tour de France 2024 Route
Stage 1
- Date: 29/06/24
- Start: Florence
- Finish: Florence
- Distance: 170 km
Stage 2
- Date: 30/06/24
- Start: Cesenatico
- Finish: Bologna
- Distance: 200 km
Stage 3
- Date: 01/07/24
- Start: Piacenza
- Finish: Turin
- Distance: 225 km
Stage 4
- Date: 02/07/24
- Start: Pinerolo
- Finish: Valloire
- Distance: 180 km
Stage 5
- Date: 03/07/24
- Start: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne
- Finish: Courchevel
- Distance: 160 km
Stage 6
- Date: 04/07/24
- Start: Albertville
- Finish: Lausanne
- Distance: 200 km
Stage 7
- Date: 05/07/24
- Start: Fribourg
- Finish: Mulhouse
- Distance: 190 km
Stage 8
- Date: 06/07/24
- Start: Belfort
- Finish: Nancy
- Distance: 210 km
Stage 9
- Date: 07/07/24
- Start: Nancy
- Finish: Troyes
- Distance: 170 km
Rest Day
- Date: 08/07/24
- Location: Troyes
Stage 10
- Date: 09/07/24
- Start: Troyes
- Finish: Chalon-sur-Saône
- Distance: 200 km
Stage 11
- Date: 10/07/24
- Start: Mâcon
- Finish: Lyon
- Distance: 160 km
Stage 12
- Date: 11/07/24
- Start: Lyon
- Finish: Montélimar
- Distance: 170 km
Stage 13
- Date: 12/07/24
- Start: Montélimar
- Finish: Mont Ventoux
- Distance: 130 km
Stage 14
- Date: 13/07/24
- Start: Carpentras
- Finish: Nîmes
- Distance: 210 km
Stage 15
- Date: 14/07/24
- Start: Nîmes
- Finish: Montpellier
- Distance: 160 km
Rest Day
- Date: 15/07/24
- Location: Montpellier
Stage 16
- Date: 16/07/24
- Start: Montpellier
- Finish: Carcassonne
- Distance: 180 km
Stage 17
- Date: 17/07/24
- Start: Carcassonne
- Finish: Foix
- Distance: 150 km
Stage 18
- Date: 18/07/24
- Start: Tarbes
- Finish: Luz Ardiden
- Distance: 140 km
Stage 19
- Date: 19/07/24
- Start: Lourdes
- Finish: Pau
- Distance: 110 km
Stage 20
- Date: 20/07/24
- Start: Pau
- Finish: Bordeaux
- Distance: 200 km
Stage 21
- Date: 21/07/24
- Start: Bordeaux
- Finish: Paris (Champs-Élysées)
- Distance: 160 km
Breakaway or Bunch Sprint?
The peloton might see breakaway attempts early on, with teams aiming to put their climbers in a good position before the San Luca ascents. However, strong teams with ambitions for the GC might control the race and set up a bunch sprint for a fast finisher like Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal) or Fabio Jakobsen (Soudal Quick-Step).
Stage 2 promises to be an exciting and tactical battle. Keep an eye out for:
- Attacks on the early climbs to establish a breakaway.
- Team tactics coming into play as teams control the pace for their GC contenders.
- A thrilling finale on the San Luca climb, potentially shaping the early GC picture.
Stay tuned for race updates and the outcome of Stage 2!
