It’s not every year you get the chance to see a race travel round the World Championships circuit, but that’s what this year’s Tour de Yorkshire offered on stage 2 when it went through Harrogate, and it seemed a good chance to take a quick spin round the route as well. I don’t normally 'do' e-bikes, but it was probably as well I took up the offer of one on loan from Chevin Cycles, as this circuit is surprisingly tough, tricky and technical, with one steep little climb after another in the 14 kilometres.
The Harrogate circuit is the key element of the Yorkshire Worlds, but it’s not the only thing to deal with, as most of the races start outside town and hit the circuit after run-ins of varying length. The under-23 men and the elite women will both tackle it three times, while the elite men have seven laps.
By the time they’ve finished, they will probably think that’s quite enough, although given how spectacular the circuit looks for the spectators, anyone by the roadside will probably be left wanting more.
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From the line outside the Yorkshire Hotel, it’s a fairly innocuous start, with West Park on the right. After the right turn, Otley Road is a long straight drag, with a simple landmark at the top in the form of the Shepherd’s Dog pub, the first of several good viewing points. There’s a little pull up to the pub, followed by a whizz down and up again past Harlow Carr RHS garden. It’s all a little bit exposed as the route leaves town, something which could prove tricky if the wind is coming from the north.
Kicker on the Otley road before the right turn towards Pot Bank
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
via Cyclingnews Latest Interviews and Features http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/tough-tricky-technical-a-closer-look-at-the-yorkshire-world-championships-circuit
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