Luxembourg - Vianden   

Rolling out from popular Bonnevoie near the city center, the rollout takes the race to Itzig past the well known Schleck bike shop. From there the riders take a circle through the lovely rolling farmlands of southern and western Luxembourg, including the first section of gravel. The real difficulties begin as the route comes back to the city. The riders will go to the red in Bridel as they fight for position before the Eich...

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Rolling out from popular Bonnevoie near the city center, the rollout takes the race to Itzig past the well known Schleck bike shop. From there the riders take a circle through the lovely rolling farmlands of southern and western Luxembourg, including the first section of gravel. The real difficulties begin as the route comes back to the city. The riders will go to the red in Bridel as they fight for position before the Eicherfeld - a horrendous narrow 20% cobbled climb that will surely create some gaps before the race moves north to Mersch.

Mersch gives the race a view of Luxembourg independence monument and the first castle of the day. The riders will not be looking forward to the exit from Mersch - the climb is short but hits over 20% straight into a long dirt road. The race will pass the beautiful LaRochette castle before alternating hills and unpaved roads. There's no respite as the hills and tough roads break up the peloton into smaller and smaller groups.

The climax of the race is two laps with views of the stunning restored Vianden castle. The finishing loop goes up a steep and unpaved narrow road, then sweeps into the Vianden town, up a cobbled climb, straight into the castle itself, finishing under the castle gate house. The short steep hills and long sections of rough roads mean only the best hillers and cobblers have any chance of victory.