Tour of Britain - Stage 2
| Published: 16th August 2007 09:33 |
The Route
Stage 2 of this year's race sees the cyclists take on the challenge of Somerset, with the route traveling from Yeovil to Taunton.
The race starts at the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovil at 10:30.
The riders travel west through the villages of Somerton and Langport to the first Hot Spot Sprint of the day at Othery, which they should reach at 11:08 having completed 11.6 miles of the race.
The route then continues west, through Taunton, along the A358 to Williton before heading to the second Hot Spot Sprint of the day at Dunster.
The race then gets really exciting as the riders make their way up Porlock Hill, which is a First Category E.ON King of the Mountains climb and one of the most anticipated climbs of the whole event, with the riders expected to arrive here at 12:37.
The 350 metre climb will provide a great spot to see the cyclists close-up and will highlight which of the riders is likely to be wearing the E.ON King of the Mountains jersey not only for this stage but also throughout The Tour of Britain.
The riders then face a steep decent into Lynmouth before climbing to Watersmeet, a Second Category E.ON King of the Mountains climb. The route then takes them through Simonsbath and Exford before reaching the final E.ON King of the Mountains climb at Wheddon Cross, with the riders likely to reach this point at 13:45.
The riders will not have much time to admire the stunning scenery around them, as they will have spent the last 28 miles ascending and descending these steep climbs.
The riders then descend through the final Hot Spot Sprint of the day at Goosemoor at 13:40 before continuing past Elworthy towards Bishops Lydeard where they will rejoin the A358. The race is then on as they head to North Street in Taunton for the finish at 14:20 ...
... having completed a grueling 105.2miles.
More details on the Tour of Britain website
On Sunday the 9th September the hill will be available for amateur cyclists to have a go at the climb.
More local cycling:
Children's Summer Cycle Safety Classes
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