Obviously 1 option. Not changeable.
Both tours 10 stages, the stage numbers haven't been adjusted yet though.
The tours: (Hope I copied and deleted all the correct stuff, if not tell me)
Robyklebt wrote: ↑Thu Oct 26, 2017 7:16 pm2007 for the first edition of the December Tour vote, RKL designed a fantastic Tour of Ethopia. That incredibly didn't win the vote, we went to the Balkans instead. Bojan Krizaj then won that December Tour I think.
Anyway, what better country to make a 2017 proposal than Ethiopia? None, so here is the
Tour of Ethiopia
First, some general information:
-No intermediate sprints, the Ethiopian cycling federation demands that their youth become climbers, by adding intermediate sprints they feel we might mislead their youngsters and have them rethink their career goals. So only GPMs for this December Tour.
- 9 riders
- At least 30 km minute tact
- No pavé. Even if parts of the stages are on dirt road. Most of it is paved, but not all.
But let's start with the stages! Since I'm too stupid (and lazy) to find a cool site like Gipfel to post a nice overview map..... if he tells me how I might try that too, and add it later.
Stage 1: We start with a long TTT. Since 2017 hasn't really seen many TTTs, time to offer something for TTT teams. 52 km, at the start a climb, slightly hilly for another 10 km, then mostly flat, and the last 20 km downhill. It will be a very important day for the GC, while you most likely won't be able to win the Tour here, you can definetly lose it. The team will need to have a bit of all, some mountain for the start an especially downhill for the long end. The danger is dropping riders in the early climb and then in the long downhill.
We start in Harar. A historical city, according to UNESCO the fourth holy city of Islam, with 110 mosques. And people feed hyenas.
The finish is Dire Dawa. It was founded only in 1902, since it was regarded as too expensive to lay the railway up to Harar, so a railway station was built here, and in the end the city grew out of it.
Harar, where the race starts: http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/phot ... 186913.jpg
Here the downhill starts: Title of this picture in google earth: Donkeys on the way to Dire Dawa. Still the full team as you can see.
Dire Dawa: Some other team training.http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/phot ... 192451.jpg
http://www.radsportfreaks.de/radsport/p ... n=eth17_01
Stage 3: Mieso to Awash, 80 km away, but we take a detour over the mountains. So 176 kmThe hardest climb is the second one, that finishes in the village of Arba Reketi. In the others there's only 1 km at 6% or more. So while this is a middle mountain stage, it's certainly not a very difficult one. And with last siebable km at 123, the sprinters have a chance to fight for the victory again. Basically a question of how many are there, how much they are ready to invest, since the next stage will be a sprint stage again.
View from Asebe Teferi: http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/phot ... 869425.jpg
Gelemso: http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/phot ... 611444.jpg
Awash, the train station on the old original line: http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/phot ... 754675.jpg
http://www.radsportfreaks.de/radsport/p ... n=eth17_03
Stage 4
Another flat stage. 194 km from Awash to Assela. We stop at the bottom of the town, otherwise it would have finished with a 6... Like this no 6+% km in the whole stage, but a series of 5, 4 of them in a row, from km 164. Which could put some sprinters into trouble, low mountain and or low flat could prove deadly, since we can expect many classics or climbers in the race, that could try to drop some sprinters.
After 30 km today we reach Metehara, and more importantly Lake Basaka. It's a growing saline lake. The original road is already submerged, a new road further around the lake has been built. And according to Wikipedia it is expected that in 20-30 years the city of Metehara will have to move.
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/phot ... 626798.jpg
We then pass Adama, the second biggest city of Ethiopia, but don't go into the city.
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/phot ... 880176.jpg
The end will be in Assela, the hometown of Haile Gebreselassie! Although he probably comes from the surroundings, Assela itself has 100'000 inhabitants.
Street in Assela, but we finish before this climb. http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/phot ... 787238.jpg
http://www.radsportfreaks.de/radsport/p ... n=eth17_04
Stage 6:
The next mountain stage. Short and sweet. Or sweaty? Another one climb stage, but in a way it's 2 climbs. First we reach the Sanetti Plateau, a 15 km climb, the middle part the hardest. But then on the plateau itself, there are 16 flattish km, between +4 and -4, before we turn right to climb the fourth highest mountain of Ethiopia and highest peak of the Bale mountains, Tullu Dimtu. Seems to be the third highest road in Africa too. So with the long ride on the plateau, it offers different options for climbers, go early? Wait for super classics?
On the Sanetti plateau:
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/phot ... 616489.jpg
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/phot ... 701669.jpg
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/phot ... 666055.jpg
Tullu Dimtu: http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/phot ... 051452.jpg
http://www.radsportfreaks.de/radsport/p ... n=eth17_06
Stage 7:
The third mountain stage in a row. First we climb the Bale mountains again, this time from the other side, partly through the wild Harenna forest up to ca 2500, after that the landscape becomes more barren. After crossing the Sanetti plateau, the long downhill, a flat part, followed by 2 rather shortish and not too steep climbs, followed by the final downhill. A stage that could very well be won by superclassics too, since the 2 final climbs aren't really difficult. Coming back seems possible, anticipating too. But of course the climbers have their chances too, a lot depends on what the managers want.
The start is in Dola Mena, the finish in Washa, there's nothing to say about either place.
Harenna Forest:
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/phot ... 379581.jpg
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/phot ... 787976.jpg
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/phot ... 616507.jpg
Some more Sanetti plateau
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/phot ... 673859.jpg
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/phot ... 925142.jpg
As you can see the road on top seems to be paved, the one from the south, that we climb today isn't, that's still a dirt road, the one from the north should be paved nowadays. (No guarantee, if necessary RKL will pave it just for the race, like he did with the dirt road to Tullu Dimtu and some other roads in Ethiopia.
Dinsho, the center for toursim in the Bale mountain regions. Lots of trekking etc starts from here:
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/phot ... 691026.jpg
Road towards the last pass http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/phot ... 962574.jpg
http://www.radsportfreaks.de/radsport/p ... n=eth17_07
Stage 8:
After first 3 hard stages, the sprinters will be back at the front. An rather easy stage, we pass through the Great Rift valley basically. The only problem could again be a 5+5 combination at the GPM at km 178. The 6-7 combination at the first GP in Aje shouldn't really bother the sprinters too much, too far from the finish line.
Outside Adaba: http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/phot ... 319281.jpg
Near Aje: http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/phot ... 627631.jpg
Shone: http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/phot ... 889311.jpg
http://www.radsportfreaks.de/radsport/p ... n=eth17_08
Stage 9:
The ITT. 39 km, mostly flat, a light climb, up to 4 followed by a light downhill up to -5 in the second part. Clearly one of the decisive stages of the Tour.
We start in Shone, where we arrived the day before, and there is not more to mention about it even one day later. Sodo on the other hand is a city of 76'000 inhabitants. Or 109'00. Or 153'000. Depending on which language you check on Wikipedia. My guess is the middle number probably seems about right.
Sodo, overview: http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/phot ... 216017.jpg
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/phot ... 215989.jpg
http://www.radsportfreaks.de/radsport/p ... n=eth17_09
Stage 10
Stage 10 is the 4th, but already last HC stage. And the one with the most altitude difference. 3690 meters. The climbing starts once we cross the Omo river. The first climb is the hardest of the day. But after that there are not many flat km, only 3 "0", but of course more flatish kms. Since this should be the last chance for climbers, we can hopefully expect lots of action during this stage.
The arrival is in Chida, again, nothing really exiting to write about it.
Omo River. They are building a dam around there, so soon the road will pass somewhere else I guess. Hopefully not yet.
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/phot ... 212437.jpg
Near the top of the cat 1 climb: http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/phot ... 664706.jpg
Close to Chida, but not that close either... http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/phot ... 212396.jpg
http://www.radsportfreaks.de/radsport/p ... n=eth17_10
Stage 12:
Another middle mountain stage. Similar to stage 11 in that the start is the hardest. But this time the flat part in the middle is less flat, and much shorter. The final climb to Jejeba is easy, only 2 km at 6%, the rest flatter, which normally should guarantee the win of a classic rider.
Road near the start: http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/phot ... 488028.jpg
After the last climb: http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/phot ... 879121.jpg
http://www.radsportfreaks.de/radsport/p ... n=eth17_12
Stage 13:
The final stage, the 4th official, possibly the 5 stage for sprinters. We start in Tulu Bolo, so a short transfer before the stage, then go to Addis Abeba, where we have 5 flat laps.
Tulu Bolo http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/phot ... 805654.jpg
Approaching Addis Abeba: http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/phot ... 804838.jpg
Approaching the finish: http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/phot ... 520118.jpg
Near the finish (might be just after the finish): http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/phot ... 189975.jpg
Finish around here: http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/phot ... 444775.jpg
http://www.radsportfreaks.de/radsport/p ... n=eth17_13
So, to finish the presentation:
1 TTT
1 ITT
3 HC stages, 2 mountain top arrivals
2 middle mountain stages (but one to me looks good for sprint too)
3 flat stages
In theory there's something for everybody, in practice as usual with Big Donkey designs the classics might not really have that many chances for stage wins.
For the GC, you need TT, mountain, reg, downhill. Not necessarily in that order. And not all for the winning rider, a lot of it can be outsourced to teammates. The favorite, usually RKL designs are for a fight Huber vs climbers, this time I think a strong Habermacher, a classic with TT, has good chances too. With the right team.
The Donkey btw is not fully convinced of this design either, last real GC stage 10? (OK, stage 12 can be interpreted as one too in a way). Twice the same thing for sprints, 5+5 vs 5+5+5+5... once ok, twice 2 much of the same. Mountain stages ok, even if one kind of sucks, one is kind of boring.. .bah.
CircleCycle wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2017 12:48 pmTook me more time than I thought but now it is time to present you my proposal for Dec.TourCircleCycle wrote: Las Islas Canarias
Details to follow, stay tuned
Las Islas Canarias
8 Riders per team will enjoy (or maybe not) the mild temperatures and the beautiful scenery in a very challenging tour with the following stages
1 TTT
1 TT
3 flat stages
3 middle mountain stages
2 HC stages with downhill finish
3 HC stages with mountain top finish
divided on the 7 main islands, and for that reason maybe too hard for a typical december tour (feel free to use the discussion/critics thread).
The Tour starts with a 6km TTT at Maspalomas finishing at Playa del Inglés
Immediately followed by the 2nd halfstage bringing the riders from Playa del Inglés to Las Palmas, the biggest city of Canary Islands. Along the way we have the first GPMs, so the fight for the prestigious mountain jersey can start. Categorized as flat stage, sprint teams will have a lot of work to do, if they want a MS.
cat.3 at km 50 4 1 4 3 3 4 2 3 3 3 5 5
cat.3 at km 61 5 5 4 3 7 8 1 0 1
cat.4 at km 79 4 7 6 6 7 4
cat.4 at km 88 6 6 2
cat.4 at km 103 1 5 3 4 4
Santa María de Guía de Gran Canaria
The 2nd stage, just 83km but the first mountain top finish, will show who of the gc favos is trying to get an early advantage over his rivals.
cat.3 at km 46 Alto de Temisas 2 4 8 7 5 7 2 -1 3 7 5 7
cat.2 at km 66 Cruz Grande 4 6 6 6 3 6 8 6 6 7
cat.1 at km 83 Pico de las Nieves 3 2 3 4 9 8 10 4 2 3 2 8 4 6 6
Peloton goes east and here we have the Lanzarote stage. Starting at the very far north-east point, going around the Island with a finish after 167km at Arrecife.
cat.4 at km 65 Femés 5 5 3 1 0 4 2 7 -1 1 2 2
cat.4 at km 104 Montanas de Fuego 2 1 0 1 2 1 3 1 2 3 2 3 3 3 3 3
cat.4 at km 147 Teguise 2 5 6 5 5
Stage 4, the Fuerteventura stage, ist the last stage in the Provincia de Las Palmas. Unlike stage 1b this is a "real" flat stage with 156km.
cat.4 at km 47 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 6
Tenerife welcomes the teams with a challenging stage with start and finish in Puerto de la Cruz. 135km, 4 categorized climbs and a 42km downhillfinish will guarantee an interesting race.
cat.1 at km 40 Puerta de Erjos 5 8 5 6 5 4 6 4 3 6 6 6 5 4 6 4 5 5
cat.3 at km 47 Santo Ángel 6 8
cat.1 at km 77 Narices del Teide 5 5 5 6 7 5 6 5 6 5 6 4 6 6 6 6 7 5 5 6 6 5 5 5
cat.1 at km 93 El Tabonal Negro 3 7 4 4 6 6 6
Icod de los Vinos, where the climb to Puerta de Erjos begins
Santiago del Teide is the host city of the ITT. 20km up and down, yet alone very difficult, and even more so, for the riders who gave too much yesterday.
-4 -5 -6 -6 -5 -5 -4 5 4 4 0 4 6 7 8 9 -2 -7 -6 3
Back to Tenerife there follows a 139km transfer stage from Los Christianos to San Andrés.
cat.4 at km 10 La Camella 5 7 6 6 6
cat.4 at km 56 Pozo Yaco 4 3 5 5 5 6 7
Mountain jersey fighters will have their go again in the stage to Santa Cruz, when after a difficult start the stage finishes with a circuit in the capital city of Tenerife. The climb "Boque de la Esperanza" is the first part of the climb to Izaña, but we decide to take a turn at the crossing of TF-24 with TF-523 and go back to Santa Cruz. 178km
cat.2 at km 11 El Bailadero 4 4 7 6 6 6 7 6 3 7 8
cat.3 at km 15 5 1 8 5
cat.3 at km 21 Pico del Inglés 7 6 6
cat.1 at km 55 Boque de la Esperanza 3 5 6 2 8 8 4 4 6 5 6 6 7 6 6 4 5 6 7 3 6 3
cat.4 at km 92 4 5 6 3
El Bailadero
The last stage taking place at Tenerife offers no gpm, but 5 intermediate sprints on what should be the last "easy" 107km of this tour.
The final stage. 223km with the final climb to the Roque de los Muchachos will decide the winner of "Las Islas Canarias". 6 climbs and 5 intermediate sprints and on the way to the decisive 40km climb, could make the fight for red and green jersey interesting.
cat.3 at km 10 3 2 1 4 4 6 5 8 3
cat.4 at km 26 1 2 1 2 3 3 3 4 3 3 3 1 3 3
cat.4 at km 31 1 5 2 3
cat.2 at km 65 2 2 6 7 7 6 5 6 6 6 6 6 3 2 2 2 2
cat.2 at km 100 1 6 9 6 7 6 6 1 2 3 2 2
cat.2 at km 120 2 3 2 8 7 7 5 7 5
cat.HC last climb 6 8 8 6 4 7 9 8 6 8 10 4 7 7 3 7 10 7 5 8 8 11 6 5 7 7 7 6 8 9 3 -2 -1 1 -4 -4 -3 8 6 9