STAGE 2
R329
R407
WILLOWMORE
Unpaved Paved Padstal Summit
N9
1154m Crossover Hill
The Shallot
N9
AVONTUUR
R62
Stage 2 is a day of pacing and opportunism. The climbs may be challenging but not decisive on their own – it’ s how the riders tackle them that will shape the day. GC contenders will want to stay out of trouble, minimising risk, while riders who lost time on stage 1 will take their chances to go clear. feature a select group as the race shifts into fast, rolling Karoo hills. The bunches will swell and splinter here, and even mid-pack riders will average over 40km / h on these well-surfaced, flowing gravel roads.
The first Padstal is stationed at 51km – replenishing the spent energy just as important as fuelling up for the remaining kilometres and to stay alert for the sharp descent( one of the sections highlighted by the route design team as a point of caution).
At the bottom an 18km drag begins, building gradually and peaking at 1 154 metres – the highest point of the stage. The second and last Padstal of the day comes soon after, following a short descent. The riders will be eyeing the day’ s final peak at the 20km to go mark as a point of relief – it’ s virtually downhill all the way on more fast rolling gravel roads to the finish in Willowmore – a classic Karoo town. They’ ll be welcomed warmly by the locals before the transfer to Graaff Reinet.
33 NEDBANK GRAVEL BURN