December Tour 2018: Presentation

[Robyklebt]

Whole tour in one post please.
No discussion here, just the tours.

[CarreraBlueJeans]

Tour of Sicily

1st stage



2nd stage



3rd stage



4th stage (TT)



5th stage



6th stage



7th stage



8th stage



9th stage



10th and last stage

[High Flyer]

Rapido En Argentina


I was just gunna make a super flat sprint tour but then I read the rules ;l.
Stage 1: Short 2km ITT
Stage for: TT's

Stage 2: Short flat
Stage for: Sprinters

Stage 3: Mainly flat, short weak hill at end
Stage for: Sprinters

Stage 4: Mostly flat race, short hill (4% max) towards finish then strong DH ending, last km's are -5% for a choatic sprint or a chance for good attackers to hold onto win.
Stage for: Downhill Sprinters/ Punchers

Stage 5: Don't be scared by the climbs, nothing is above 5% and the finish is actually quite nice, gets you ready for the stage before the rest day
Stage for: Sprinters

Stage 6: Very hard mountain finish. The starts can be a challenge to but with a rest just a day later, why not go all out.
Stage for: Climbers


REST DAY

Stage 7: After a days rest, its time for something quite open. Slightly hard finish, sprinters can make it but will be up against classics here
Stage for: Sprinters, Classics and Punchers

Stage 8: The first of the 2 main stages, less than 10km of descending overall. This is also the tallest mountain in Argentina so be wary. The climbs go from very easy stacks of 1%'s at the start to a very strong finish. Watch out for the last km, a DH finish to catch some teams out.
Stage for: Climbers

Stage 9: The last chance for the GC guys. Sprinter teams can breathe alittle as the start is mainly downhill the a truely ruthless finish from the
one of the other tallest mountains in Argentina. This is where the race can be one. 7-8-3-5-6-7-6-7-9-3
Stage for: Climbers

Stage 10: The Golden Race: 90 Points Available On The Road every 5km to celebrate the end of the tour
Stage for: Sprinters and Teams that need lots of money



Will Continue Later

[olmania]

My turn to offer a December tour : NICARAGUA 2018

This year, I designed a 12 stages race in Nicaragua. 7 stages, then rest day, then the last 5 stages.
100% in Nicaragua. Only 1 long transfer in the country between two stages; most cities are arrival/departure cities. (If I get time and motivation, I'll add a fantastic paint map to this post !)

I classified the stages as followed :
- 5 flat stages (1,3,4,8,9)
- 3 Hilly stages (2,7,12)
- 3 HC stages (5,6,11)
- 1 ITT (10)

I hope this balance will attract many teams. I didn't want an extreme tour with too many stages of one kind.

- 1 Intermediate sprint per stage (mostly close to the finish line to make it eventually interesting for GK)
- 14 4th cat climb
- 14 3rd cat climb
- 12 2nd cat climb
- 3 1st cat climb

Plenty of points during this tour; and red jersey should be for an offensive rider, not necessarily a pure climber.

Here are the details :

The first stage is obviously a good chance for sprinters to take the leader's jersey. But it's possible to sieb in the mid-stage hills, some sprinters could be eliminated there. 4 categorised climb to see a great fight for the climbers jersey.

(Flat)

The second stage should see a new rider getting the leader's jersey. Plenty of climbs on the road, sometimes steep. The stage is long, and the last sieb is quite far from the finish line, so there's a chance to see a sprint (probably of a reduced peloton) happen ! GK leaders could also decide to make their first moves here to create some chaos and surprise their opponents (knowing that the two next days will be calm for them). Fight for red jersey continues !

(Hilly)

A calm flat stage Easy catch for sprinters if they manage to catch the breakaway.

(Flat)

Long stage; all flat. Another easy catch for sprinters, green jersey fight is on ! A long section on a dirt road; it's only * so it shouldn't be a problem for fit riders.

(Flat)

A very irregular and quite short final climb to see the climbers take the win and maybe the yellow jersey here. Quite easy stage before the final climb. The gaps should be small here, but some seconds can be earned by strong leaders over others. That's the only top finish of the tour !

(HC)

Second HC stage in a row, but this one has nothing to do with the previous one. Steep climbs, sometimes for many kms all stage long. Big moves can be done here from the first climbs in early stage. If not, the last 50kms will be dangerous and interesting for all leaders. big time gaps could be done here; if climbers want to do it over TT riders. Many points for red jersey on the way. Sprinters should be careful about time limit if they are dropped in early stage.

(HC)

The first half of the stage looks like a HC stage; and then it's more flat (almost no sieb) but not so easy. From a mass sprint to big GK moves (give it all before rest day); anything can happen in stage 7 ! Again, it's an important day for red jersey.

(Hilly)


Rest day


Sprinters are back in business ! With fresh teams, this should be an easy one for them. They must score points for green jersey ! Riders will cycle around Momotombo volcano without climbing it, and without a single sieb km.

(Flat)

A very open stage here ! Last chance for sprinters to take a win. But it won't be easy to come back after the last climb (with few 6%). And it might be even harder if some GK contenders with high reg (knowing there's a TT the day after) decide to make some moves in the last climb/downhill.

(Flat)

A quite long TT, the only one of this tour. This will make the reg skill important; even more than at the end of the first week of this Nicaragua Tour. Specialists should take the stage win even if the finish is slightly uphill to the volcano !

(ITT)

Riders who are under reg might be able to recover a bit in early stage; if other teams allow it. The last 50kms of this stage is really hard. Big differences can be done on the last mountain stage of the race. Last two climbs are steep.

(HC)

The final stage of this tour is where everything can still happen. Early sieb and moves are allowed. And then 3 steep climbs on the way to make desperate moves for the teams who have nothing to loose. Teams will be exhausted from the past two days, and many surprises could happen. Anyway, this stage looks perfect for a strong classic.

(Hilly)

[Falkenbier]

Let's present the Beer Tour of 2018:

SRI LANKA

Total length: 1'835 km
Stages: 12
-Flat: 4
-Middle mountain: 3
-High mountain: 3
-TTT: 1
-TT: 1

Rest Day: 1
Riders per team: 9




Stage 1:
200 km, flat

Easy and flat start for srpinters. A stage without any difficulties.

Last 10 km: 1 1 -2 0 0 1 0 -1 0 0



Stage 2:
26 km, TTT

A very flat Team Time Trial with start and finish in Trincomalee. A stage for specialized teams.



Stage 3:
175 km, flat

Stage 3 is for sprinters again, completely flat. First points for mountain jersey can be won.

Last 10 km: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 -1


Stage 4:
190 km, middle mountain

Almost a flat stage, but there are two hills to cross over. Classic riders should have their chance, Or is it even a stage for an escape ?

Last 10 km: -1 -2 0 0 0 -1 -1 -1 0 0

Cat. 3 (km 133): 8
Cat. 3 (km 176): 3 8



Stage 5:
142 km, flat

Next possibility for sprinters. A very short and flat stage.

Last 10 km : 0 2 1 2 -1 -3 -1 -1 -1 0



Stage 6:
169 km, middle mountain

After a long, flat start, we will have the first, real climb at this tour. Strong classics and climbers can fight for the stage win.

Last 10 km: -4 -7 -2 -4 -4 -4 -5 -1 1 0

Cat. 3 (km 118): 6 5 4 6 5
Cat. 2 (km 152): 5 8 6 6 4 4 7 6





REST DAY
After the first 6 stages, the riders will get a rest day to prepare for the second and way more hard part of the tour.



Stage 7:
179 km, high mountain

After the rest day, we will have a beatiful, hard stage! Up and down from the start untill the end, where we will find a mountain top finish. A strong team is a big advantage, for sure.

Last 10 km: -1 -6 -7 -6 -8 -7 -4 -6 8 6

Cat. 1 (km 21): 5 5 6 7 5 5 4 5 3 6 7 5 5 6
Cat. 3 (km 93): 4 5 5 4 5 2 2
Cat. 4 (km 101): 7 4 3 2
Cat. 1 (km 6): 9 7 4 6 6 10 5 5 3 6 6 6
Cat. 3 (km 179): 8 6



Stage 8:
193 km, middle mountain

Hard climb at the beginning of this 8th stage. After that, we have a very long downhill part with some small hills. The last 70 km are almost flat, but not too flat. Maybe a puncheur can be successful with a late attack.

Last 10 km: 2 3 2 0 -1 0 -1 -1 3 2

Cat. 1 (km 15): 4 5 8 7 7 8 3 4 5 4 4 5 10
Cat. 2 (km 30): 5 3 4 4 3 5 4 4 4 3 2
Cat. 3 (km 78): 6 5 3 6 4 6 6



Stage 9:
178 km, high mountain

Let’s go for a next up and down. A very hard stage for strong classics or climbers again.

Last 10 km: -2 -2 3 7 5 3 4 3 -2 -2

Cat. 3 (km 13): 4 3 3 6 7 8 5
Cat. 3 (km 47): 5 3 2 3 3 4 4 4
Cat. 3 (km 70): 5 4 5 7 5 5 3
Cat. 1 (km151): 6 4 4 4 3 3 7 0 -3 10 9 8 6 8 8 8 5
Cat. 3 (km 176): 3 7 5 3 4 3



Stage 10:
195 km, high mountain

Hopefully your guys still have some power left. Here we go for the climbers paradise. After a downhill start, ther will be a first hard climb to weaken some rival teams. After a more or less flat middle part, we will reach the highest point of this Tour. A final climb of 20 km will surely show us who can win the general classement.

Last 10 km: 6 5 8 5 6 7 -4 -6 -1 -1

Cat. 1 (km 69): 4 4 6 1 8 5 3 5 7 5 1 2 6 6 7 11 3 3 6 2 5
Cat. 2 (km 152): 5 7 8 2 3 0 4 5 5 6 5 6
Cat. HC (km 191): 7 8 4 4 6 7 7 5 5 6 4 5 6 3 7 6 5 8 5 6 7



Stage 11:
12 km, TT

We stay In Nuwara Eliya for a short Time Trial in the high mountains to finalize the general classement. Let’s see who still has power to do this 12 km.

1 0 0 1 0 1 -3 -1 4 -1 1 2



Stage 12:
176 km, flat

The final stage brings us down to sea level, where the Tour will end in the capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo. One little hill in the middle oft he stage shouldn’t be a problem. Sprinters will have a chance again.

Last 10 km: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 -1

Cat. 4 (km 86): 6 4 0 4 0 4 2

[whisbone]

If you like, like me, the Philippines, come spend 2 weeks in the province of Luzon, in the North of the Philippines.
This region, unfortunately, has just been the victim of a terrible typhoon that has made many victims.


LUZON TOUR
Stage 1 Olongapo - Alaminos
Flat stage 201 kms
Stage 2 Dagupan - Alfonso Castaneda
Flat stage 168 kms
Stage 3 TTT San Jose - Pantabangan
TTT 30Kms
Stage 4 Rizal - Rizal
Hilly 174Kms
Stage 5 Baler - Dilasag
Flat stage 138 kms
Stage 6 Dipaculago - Maddela
Mountain 86Kms
Stage 7 Santiago - Tabuk
Flat stage 200 kms

REST DAY

Stage 8 Tabuk - Bontoc
Hilly 161Kms
Stage 9 Bontoc - Favuyan
Mountain 156Kms
Stage 10 Bontoc - Cervantes
Hilly 162Kms
Stage 11 Cervantes - San Fernando
Flat stage 114 kms
Stage 12a San Fernando - Baguio
Mountain 57Kms
Stage 12 b ITT Baguio City
ITT 19Kms
Stage 13 Baguio City
Hilly 120Kms





STAGE 1



STAGE 2



STAGE 3



STAGE 4



STAGE 5



STAGE 6




STAGE 7




REST DAY IN TABUK



STAGE 8



STAGE 9

% last 10 kms : -3 -2 1 -3 -3 -1 5 14 12 11 5 -2



STAGE 10



STAGE 11



STAGE 12a

Stage 12b

Hard ITT in the streets of Baguio City


Stage 13

[Robyklebt]

Eritrea Ethiopia Peace Tour

For the 4th time already the legendary designer RKL proposes a tour including Ethiopia. After 2007, 2008&2017, now in 2018 there is a big innovation. Not only Ethiopia, but Eritrea as well. This year for the first time since Eritrea's independence the land border between the 2 countries was reopened, we decided to celebrate this event and make our stage race in both countries. Actually to be precise, the border reopened mostly thanks to us. No peace, no open border, no proposal in 2018, we threatened the Ethiopian prime minister. Despite our notorious lack of success with Ethiopia in the December Tour competition (really think some other designer should give it a go in the coming years, the terrain is there..), that threat worked, and the Ethiopian side was very eager to negotiate. On the Eritrean side it was even easier, we include you if you open the borders with Ethiopia. Said and done, RKL the peacemaker brings peace to the world. An additional argument for this peace process was: Help to stop the blatant racism at c4f against Eritreans and Ethiopians. Despite their success in the rival UCI series, where a decent number of Eritreans and one Ethiopian ride for WT teams, here at c4f they are still denied a licence. Get another passport they are told. Scandalous in this day and age, countries like Tuvalu, with 0,000000000001% chance to ever produce a good rider are welcome, but Eritrea and Ethiopia not? Ok, Tuvalu now used their 0,000000000001% chance and hit the jackpot with Fiu Sofiga, so maybe not a good example. Anyway, high time for c4f to be inclusive and hand out licences to Eritrea and Ethiopia. By proposing a tour here, we can highlight the issue, and maybe finally something will be moving.

So, once we got them to talk and finally open the border, the next problem was the name of the tour, number of stages in what country, start, finish. In the end we agreed to start and finish in Eritrea, but a higher number of stages in Ethiopia. Eritrea first in the name, but Ethiopia as official organizer, since c4f demands that one country is listed as organizer.

Some general information

- No intermediate sprints
- Mintact 30km (29-31..) unless written otherwise
- Rest day on a Sunday, to get the votes of people who can't normally ride at their usual time on weekends.
- Not the highest quality design, just gpsies, no cool time consuming google earth for ultra precise following of the roads and so on, so the track might be off at times.
- climbs when in doubt double checked with gps track analyse net.
- Some (but not all) short stages for people who are busy buying christmas presents for RKL
- 5 sprint stages, 4 HC stages, 3 classic stages and 1 ITT


Stage 1:

Start in Assab on the red sea, we head inland towards Ethiopia, cross the border after 81 km. No major obstacles, the toughest climb is the 2km climb at the second GPM, 2 km at 5%, the finish in a valley at a tiny looking settlement called Dedai or Deda'i.
The specialists comment: Edgar Schmalztorus:

We start at the red sea
What's it gonna be?
Let's be blunt,
it will be a hunt
but the sprinter will prevail
as sure as the mailman brings the mail

Fuck Zürchers, drown the fags before the start
Fuck Zürchers, after drowning them cut them apart
Dead Zürchers are the best
There's no use for the rest

In Assab we'll enjoy the breeze
No danger to freeze
Inland it will be bloody hot
I'd feel llike smoking pot
Dedai I'd win for sure
Against me, there's no cure

Fuck Zürchers, drown the fags before the start
Fuck Zürc..

Ok ok, enough Joggeli Rapper, that's not exactly what we expected, somehow fear this might hurt more than help, even if we appreciate that in his old age the Joggeli Rapper made a whole new song for us.


http://www.radsportfreaks.de/radsport/p ... ension=c4f

Stage 2

Another sprint stage, shorter this time 150 km. Start with a 9 km climb, that could put some sprinters and some helpers that rode a lot on stage 1 in trouble. But after that there's 141 basically flat km, there's only 1 km at 5% and one at 4% after that, so normally all the sprinters should contest the win on stage 2 as well.
The specialists comment: Fabrizio Conti

A bit too easy for my taste, a good start, but then later, another hill would have been nice, and if I was still active, better for me. Like this we'll see a fight for the mountain jersey in the first 9 km, after that maybe an escape, but in the end should be a straight forward mass sprint.


http://www.radsportfreaks.de/radsport/p ... ension=c4f

Stage 3

First middle mountain stage. And we come close to 2000 meters above sea level for the first time. The last pass tops out at 1980 meters. Then a short downhill to Kombolcha, finally a bigger town with proper hotels.
The specialists comment: Daiken Sekiguchi:

A middle mountain stage, but not a very difficult one. 2 km at 6% on the climb to Bati, then 7-6-5 on the category 3 at km 129. The rest is 5% or less. So a sprint of a restricted classics+climbers group seems likely. Of course a strong classic might be able to get away and stay away on the downhill, but normally should be for a classic sprinter. Hill sprinter? Or normal sprinter, no, the category 3 is too close to the finish, and with climbers and strong classics in the race nobody will come back there normally, so you'll need around 70 mountain for the win I guess.


http://www.radsportfreaks.de/radsport/p ... ension=c4f

Stage 4
The GC fight starts. 194 km, 2 HC mountains. For breakfast an unrhythmical climb to Diesse, from there we leave the paved road and go on gravel roads, but not deserving of any gravel status at c4f. Game play issues, 150 km at * or ** kills everybody for days On a false flat up to a little pass, then down the valley along the river, up to the highlands, down to another river on the other side, up to the highland again. The last 22 km then are hilly, flattish, just a +7 km at km 192. Mintact km 158

The specialists comment: Evaristo Zipoli
A nice stage, I like it. It can be ridden in different ways, depending on who wants to gain time on whom. Since the tour is not that hard generally, some riders might feel the need to drop others already here. A strong group of climbers can make the difference in the last climb. But depending on how hard the first HC climb is ridden, a comeback by superclassics is not impossible either. Personally I'd feel confident dropping everybody on the last climb and then finishing alone, I always felt I could ride the flat well too. But you'll have to pay attention not to spend too much energy too, the next day is another hard one.


http://www.radsportfreaks.de/radsport/p ... ension=c4f

Stage 5

The second hard GT stage in a row, this time we finish on the climb itself. Basically a long loop, if we went to Debot (or Babasat, depending on the map) we'd be there in less than basically flat km. But first we go down to the valley, then start the climb up to Lalibela, turn right and head towards Dilb. There we to the downhill to Weldiya, short lap in Weldiya and then the riders go up the same road, but stay on the paved road in Dilb, until the top.

The specialists comment: Lotfi Zafzaf

The stage is not easy, there's lots of small climbs from the start. But due to the length of the final climb, I don't expect much action before that. Some might try to go for the GPM jersey, but except the cat 1 in Dilb, there's not that many points on the road. Mostly category 4... The final climb is long, scenic, spectacular, but not nearly as steep as the ones we had yesterday. Basically 6% average, so weaker climbers should be able to defend themselves, with proper support.


http://www.radsportfreaks.de/radsport/p ... ension=c4f

Stage 6

A sprint stage. From Debot, or is it Babasat? Anyway, from the village itself, not the highest point of the road where we finished the day before, but from the village itself, 1,4 km away. Downhill to Weldiya again. A few hills, and a flat finish, with the last few km slightly rising, the last km is a +2.

The specialists comment: Michael Creek

The 2 preceding days will be hard for the sprinters, so the downhill at the start will be very welcome by most sprinters. Even if the stage will be fast, by riding a steady, but not hectic tempo in the first 35 km the sprinters should recover nicely. The rise to Weldiya a first chance to test their legs, then the category 4 to Gobiya could put some sprinters into trouble. The hardest km is at km 66, 6%, then 71 at 5%. Those sprinters that will survive that, will stay in the peloton, the only other slight difficulty comes at km 77 with a 5%. The sprinter teams should be able to bring their sprinters to the finish in the peloton, but maybe some of the sprinters that had to help their mountain leaders in the days ahead could suffer here. But expect attacks from the start, after all with the rest day coming, many riders will spend more than they would normally.


http://www.radsportfreaks.de/radsport/p ... ension=c4f

Rest day!

Short transfer to Mekele, where the teams will spend Sunday recovering from their work.

The specialists comment: Aodaghan MacBradaig
I love rest days. Mekele culturally isn't so interesting, no Irish stuff. Churches, but not Catholic, fortunately no Church of England either. Some Ethiopian orthodox stuff. I'd go for a beer instead.

Stage 7

214 km, middle mountain stage. Long, but not too tough, the first third is the hardest, then there's a flat stretch in the middle, and only at the end we have short climbs again. Should be for classics, or an escape.

The specialists comment: Qiao Baoyu

Long, but not too hard. You'll need to be explosive at the end, get away on the last steep hill. Or not lose too much time on the climbers, collect them in the downhill and flat, drop them, win. I'd give myself excellent chances to win here.


http://www.radsportfreaks.de/radsport/p ... ension=c4f


Stage 8

The third HC stage, a downhill finish, something that we need too. 112 km, mintact 74. An early climb, that due to the shortness of the stage could be used to sieb and keep away helpers, then the final climb. In 3 steps, progressively easy. Not really what we wanted as a HC stage, too easy, but since there's very litte in Eritrea, we had to do it in northern Ethiopia. We even tried to renegiotate the deal, forget Eritreas finish, but Eritrea threatened to close the border again, so this is it.

The specialists comment:Yuri Gamov

Tough climb, you really can make big differences in the first part, 5 very hard km, especially the middle 3 ones. Then the second step, easier, then 4 basically flat km, and the easy third step. But you can make the difference in the first step. Downhill, take risk, the top is steep, the bottom easier. For me? 2 climbs in a row would be much better for somebody like me, as I showed in the past, but I'd feel confident to drop everybody here too.



http://www.radsportfreaks.de/radsport/p ... ension=c4f

Stage 9

A hilly stage, 182 km. We start going up the pass to the West of Adigrat, the same one we came down the day before, but in the downhill the road splits, we stay on the main road. We leave the main road at Inticho, to cross the second hard pass of the day. In the final then there's 2 more hills, that should prove decisive for the stage. Similar to stage 7, but the last hill is a bit further away from the finish.

The specialists comment: Nicolas Legrand

Stage 7-9 will be important for classics like me. 2 good chances, and for very strong ones maybe stage 8 can work too. Here I think it will be a classic sprint, even if somebody manages to get away on the last hill, with some flat before the downhill it will be hard to stay away. I'd have had 0 chances on a stage like this, too much downhill, which I never liked much.


http://www.radsportfreaks.de/radsport/p ... ension=c4f

Stage 10

No, we haven't forgotten the sprinters. Their fourth stage. 154 km. We leave Adwa, heading north, towards Eritrea, and at the lowest point of the stage we cross the border and leave Ethiopia behind us. After a gradual climb topped by 5 hard km we pass the only difficulty of the day, the cat 2 GPM near Adi Quala. After that there's 81 basically flat km, normally sprinters should manage to get their sprint rather easily.

The specialists comment: Jamaluddin Ghazali


The stage is short, but the climb is tough. A couple of strong teams with rather good helpers can make the difference here. And the climb is tough, yes, there's 81 km left, but if 2 or so teams decide to try to get the sprint without the sprinters who suffer more in the moutains, it's certainly possible. And this stage could be decisive for the points jersey to because of that.

http://www.radsportfreaks.de/radsport/p ... ension=c4f

Stage 11

The 4th and last HC stage. 159 km, mintact km 118. The final climb is long, but not very hard. The pre climb, the cat 2 short and steep, then the climb is under 6% average, first around 6% then lower. A short descent, then the last 8 km are tough again, at least the first 6 of those last 8. We'll finish on top of the climb, near a settlement that's probably called Guritat.

The specialists comment: Helios Hochuli

The stage is rather short, lots of downhill at first, then the long climb. By it's length, it should create enough differences, the last part then is very hard. Bullshit, I'm not paid nearly enough for this. Differences will be minimal, it will all happen in the last 8 km. The winning attack will come between km 152 and 157, before that simply the climb is too easy. From 136 to 139 there's 1 km a 6%, the rest less. Before at 6% average basically. All strong climbers will wait for the end.

http://www.radsportfreaks.de/radsport/p ... ension=c4f

Stage 12

The ITT, 33 km from Guritat to Asmara, where we finish in front of the government palace. The first 10 km are slightly downhill, the rest then basically flat, but undulating.

The specialists comment: Caius Todea

A TT, not too long, I liked them longer, and with some climbing. Here the climbing skill will be mostly irrelevant, but some downhill skill might make the difference

http://www.radsportfreaks.de/radsport/p ... ension=c4f

Stage 13

Asmara-Massawa, we go back to the red sea. The 5th and last sprint stage. 117 km, so short. We do a short 5 km lap in Asmara first, then directly down to Massawa. From Nefasit to Gahdelay we'll use the same roads we did 2 days earlier.

The specialists comment: Eitan Kaniuk

Well, something for the pure strong sprinters I think. Can't really imagine somebody like me, or Sofiga surprising them on a day like this.

http://www.radsportfreaks.de/radsport/p ... ension=c4f

[Pokemon Club]

TOUR DE GUADELOUPE

Present since 2012 in calendar, Guadeloupe try for the first time the organisation of a 2 weeks races. Not really easy in that small area, but let's try !


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restday

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[Tukhtahuaev]

Atlas Tour

Just in time I can present you my proposal for the 2018 December Tour. Called Atlas Tour eventhough only the Algerien parts are used. Sounds less boring than Tour of Algeria. A lack of time means only small summaries and no fancy maps.
14 days, 1st days has 2 half stages, restday after day 6.
5 flat stages, 4 middle mountain stages, 3 mountain stages, 1 TTT, 1 ITT
Exactly 1 Intermediate sprint on every stage

Stage 1a
A flat stage to warm up with only slight difficulties. The climb to Ain Nekrouf looks harder than it is. Only 3.4% average gradient over 7km.



Stage 1b
A flat TTT to create the first gap in the overall classification



Stage 2
A second easy sprint. Not a single sieb km for the riders to worry about



Stage 3
Now we'll see the first real difficulties. From km 40 on there are lots of short hills, the most difficut one being the last. The road up to Djebel Murdjadjo ist very steep with 3km averaging almost 12% gradient. The long distance to the finish means that GC attacks will be difficult to pull off, but this definitely isn't something for sprinters



Stage 4
This however could very well finish in a sprint. Only a few small hills and all of them over 50km from the finish. The cat 3 climb has an average gradient of 5.5% over 4km



Stage 5
This should be the start to the GC fight. Lots of not so steep climbs. None of them reaching an average gradient of over 6%, but the final up to Djebel Guelala is steep enough for strong climbers to gain a few seconds.
Final 10km: 3, 6, 3, 5, 7, 6, 6, 4, 5, 8



Stage 6
Before the rest day we reach the first 'real' mountain. Col de Chrea at about 1500m over sea level. It might be a bit cold up there, but in December it's usually above 0°C. GC gains are still going to be difficult to find. The road to the finish is too long and flat and only 2 more relevant hills shortly before the finish
Km 132-134: 2, 7, 3
Km 137-140: 5, 3, 6, 5



Rest
We use the rest day to transfer from Algiers to Biskra

Stage 7
It's going uphill very slowly for most of the stage. Apart from 2 hills, there is nothing to worry about for sprinters.



Stage 8
A stage for classic riders. A sequence of short climbs until 15km before the finish to create possibilities for attacks. Some GC riders could find themselves up there aswell, but only if others are sleeping



Stage 9
This is the final chance for sprinters. Only 1 sieb km 60km from the finish. Last km is +2, so a bit more mountain skill is going to help in the sprint



Stage 10
Stage 10 starts the deciding last days of this tour. First we reach the highest point of the tour at over 1800m and at the end we have a difficult mountain arrival. This might be a difficult day for sprinters, but the flat parts and rather short stage should enable them to stay inside the time limit without too much trouble
Last mountain: 2, 8, 10, 10, 11, 11, 10



Stage 11
This is the most difficult stage of the tour. Sprinters could have to fight to stay in the race. From km 65 on the riders get almost no chance to rest. It will be interesting to see how the false flat between the last 2 mountains affects the race. Is it worth it to wait for your helpers to come back?



Stage 12
A bit more tame compare to the last 2 days. 2 difficult hills, but still 50km to go after the second.



Stage 13
The winner is decided with a Time Trial on the last day. 30km, mostly flat with a small hill in the second half