Mountains await at the Tour Alsace

Tour Alsace (UCI 2.2)
21.07 | Prologue: Sausheim (TTT) | 4.3 km
22.07 | Stage 2: Colmar - Altkirch | 161.1 km
23.07 | Stage 3: Vesoul - La Planche des Belles Filles | 143.1 km
24.07 | Stage 4: Ribeauvillé - Lac Blanc | 157.8 km
25.07 | Stage 5: Mulhouse - Berrwiller | 157.7 km

The race starts the same way as it has done in recent years: with a slightly different approach to the team time trial. Each team will be divided in two and those 3-men-groups will ride a 4.3 kilometer long prologue in Sausheim. After this tough race opener, the second day opens with a rather flat first half, but as the race approaches the Sundgau region and the climbs of Jettingen, Ferrette and Lucelle only the strongest riders will be racing for the victory. Day three takes the riders up the famous La Plance des Belles Filles climb (5.8 km at 5.8%), so one knows that it will be far from easy. Let's not forget that in this stage the riders will also take on climbs such as the Côte des Forges and the Col de la Chievestraye beforehand.

However, on paper this stage will not be the hardest of them all as stage four heads from Ribeauvillé to Station du Lac Blanc. No less than six big mountains are situated on the route of this Tour de France-like stage. Then, the race organizers did not forget the sprinters as the fifth and closing stage from Mulhouse to Berrwiller will be ridden on a rolling course, with - compared to the other stages - not too many difficult obstacles. It al depends on the situation in the GC. If the overall win is still to play for, one can expect some serious racing.

Leopard Pro Cycling heads to the Tour Alsace with a strong team of climbers, such as Jan Maas -  who will be participating in one of his favorite races -, Miguel Heidemann and Arthur Kluckers.

Who are riding?
Louis Coqueret (FRA), Patrick Haller (GER), Miguel Heidemann (LUX), Arthur Kluckers (LUX), Jan Maas (NED) & Jarno Mobach (NED) - DS: Markus Zingen (GER)

Photographer
Fellusch