Stage 2

First, the riders pass through picturesque landscapes along fjords and over hills. The last 20 kilometres will take them over the Great Belt Bridge where the wind will play a decisive role. Team captains will need to rely on the collective strength of their team and the devotion of their teammates.

The peloton is expected to be split up before crossing the finish line in Nyborg. Time losses will determine who gets the yellow jersey and impact the GC going forward. The stage victory, however, could very well go to the strongest sprinter of the peloton.

Behind the stage

The second stage will be tough from start to finish. Three Category 4 climbs in Veddinge Bakker, after 62 kilometres, 72 kilometres and 84 kilometres, is just one more reason for hopeful riders to break away. So the pace will be high right from the start.

After the climbs, the route takes the riders south along the west coast of Zealand. For 50 kilometres there are strong chances of side winds, which can break the peloton up into many groups even before they reach the highlight of the day: the Great Belt Fixed Link.

After 178 kilometres, the riders turn right onto the world’s third largest suspension bridge. The first three kilometres rise just a few percentages until the riders are 65 metres above sea level. From here they go down again towards the small island of Sprogø and face a 6.6 kilometre long battle against the wind on the flat, but completely exposed West Bridge.

The finish line is only 3 kilometres after the bridge ends in Nyborg, so the dramatic scenes on the Great Belt will not only provide a fantastic viewing experience, but will also determine any time loss and potential surprises for the stage win.

The entire stage will be a backbreaking and dramatic fight, where breakaways, sprinters, General Classification favourites and their teams all must give it all they have got.