Profile & Route Bretagne Classic 2023

Profile. The Bretagne Classic is perhaps the first big classic when it comes to the finale of the season. Taking place on the 3rd of September, the Breton race is a gathering of plenty world-class sprinters, classics riders and climbers.

There will be 259 kilometers on the menu which will make for a very complicated race towards the end – where this year, the action will be densely packed. There have been years where the race has finished in a reduced bunch sprint, but the route this time around is very favourable to the classics specialists and aggressive racing. There are 3600 meters of climbing to tackle, with plenty narrow roads, short and sharp ascents which will see some tense moments and likely some early attacks.

This year however most of the race’s difficulties are packed into the last 30 kilometers. These will be highly difficult, with several small hilltops, fast sections and narrow roads to tackle. Marta (900 meters; 8.3%; 27.5Km to go) will be the hardest and the first of the ascents, which should see a furious battle for positioning, and many attacks over the top. On such terrain it is very hard to chase, so whoever gets a gap ahead won’t be easy to bring back.

There will be a small plateau and descent before Longeo (1.5Km; 5.7%; 19Km to go) which sees gradients up to 15% and is the longest of the ascents, where those who won’t enjoy the climbs are likely to struggle. A small plateau will follow and then there’ll be a sharp ramp at Le Leuzot (800 meters, 5%) which ends with 12 kilometers to go, it is another opportunity for attacks to be launched.

The race won’t end there however as quickly the riders will face Rostervel (1.2Km; 4.6%; 9Km to go), a straightforward climb out of Plouay, but then the riders descent back into the into town and climb out via Le Lezot (900 meters; 4.6%; 4.5Km to go) and Kersoulic (400 meters; 5.5%; 3.5Km to go) for a final time, before the fast run-in to the line where the sprint will feature some smooth gradients.