PREVIEW | Tour of Britain 2023 - 6 sprints and GC battle between Wout van Aert and Tom Pidcock

Preview. From the 3rd to 10th of September the Tour of Britain takes place, one of the biggest races in the closing shots of the road season, the eight stages throughout British roads serve as preparation for the late-season classics but together they make for a very prestigious race.

The opening stage takes place from Altrincham to Manchester. It's not a pan-flat day, not a traditional sprint stage. In it's bulk it includes a 2-kilometer climb at 8% and 1.3-kilometer at 9.1%, among others. They are difficult, but the last ascent comes with around 50 kilometers to go, and there is still plenty terrain to organize the race - however a breakaway may be quite dangerous on the day. Wrexham hosts the start and finish of stage 2, it is the shortest day of the race and will be a very fast one, mostly flat, and without any obstacle which may create differences in the peloton. 

Stage 3 will have 154 kilometers in length and it is a standard sprint day. It ends in Beverley, the final half of the stage is almost pan-flat, however the run-up to the line has a slight uphill drag. The fourth day of racing is not too different than the ones of previous days. From Sherwood Forest to Newark-on-Trent the riders don't find any serious ascent, but instead traditional British roads onto what should be another bunch sprint. 

Stage 5 will be a familiar sight. More flat roads on the menu and another day or the sprinters. Felixstowe hosts the start and finish of the day which should see another bunch sprint come to light. The sixth day of racing is also made for the sprinters. It's hard to dispute it, no matter how much some teams would like to make a difference, the 146 kilometers into Harlow simply don't present the difficulties to do so. 

On stage 7 the race finally enters the hilly terrain. From Tewkesbury to Gloucester the riders find a few ascents. Towards the end the riders find a 1.7-kilometer climb at 8.7% and a 2.2-kilometer ascent at 5.7%, two spots where the peloton will be reduced, it can be a key day for the overall classification, but a reduced sprint is not to be discounted.

The final day and queen stage of the race. 167 kilometers in length, it features a few longer ascents and they are hard. Many sprinters will struggle early on, however those who survive stand a chance. The puncheurs and climbers have two good chances to make a difference towards the end however, into Caerphilly the riders climb twice a 1.7-kilometer ascent at 8.3% which come in close succession and very close to the finish.

*** Wout van Aert
** Tom Pidcock, Carlos Rodríguez
* Stephen Williams, Gonzalo Serrano, Ben Turner, Danny van Poppel, Rasmus Tiller, Tobias Johannessen

Pick: Wout van Aert