Throughout five days the peloton will race in Saudi Arabia, for the Saudi Tour. It is the beginning of a long stint of racing in the Middle East from the 30th of January and the 3rd of February.
The race will feature five stages. Stage 4 will be the queen stage and the day where the climbers and puncheurs have to launch their main bids for the GC. All other stages are expected to end in a sprint, although stages 3 and 5 have hilltop finishes which could prove challenging and feature a wide variety of riders within a shot of victory. Of course, the wind may always play a part aswell and the race can be decided in each day.
The opening stage of the race will start in AlUla, a name now well known within pro cycling as they are the new title sponsor of Australian Team Jayco AlUla. It's a flat stage that is close to a complete straight line, set to finish in Khayber.
Stage two has a slightly hillier start with some bonus seconds available at the top of an early hilltop. Most of the stage however is pan-flat, with the Shalal Siljyat Rocks spot set to host the finale in what should be a bunch sprint.
Stage three has a open finale, but most of the day is flat. Even though the profile hints at a lot of climbing, no tough gradients will be found at any time, and it's at the finish where the hurt may be put to the sprinters. A sprint is expected, however a 700 meter ramp at 7% ends already inside the final kilometer, the puncheurs and GC riders will have an opportunity to take time on the competition.
The queen stage. Stage 4 is a pan-flat day except for the finale, which will take place in the Skyviews of Harrat Uwayrid. The final 10 kilometers are flat but they come after a 7.5 kilometer climb at 5.9%. However, the final 2.9 kilometers of the ascent average 12% and will be able to see big differences created, likely where the overall classification will be decided aswell.
The final day into Maraya will be an interesting one, with only 142 kilometers in the menu but including a 7.3-kilometer long gravel sector. Most of the stage is flat, but the finale will see a slight uphill drag to the line.
🤩 The #SaudiTour is back in AlUla! 🇸🇦 Between January 30. and February 3., some of the best riders in the world of cycling will race around beautiful AlUla for the 3rd edition of the #SaudiTour. Get ready! 🔎 Here is the official map of the #SaudiTour 2023!
