Tour of Britain - 2.3

Great Britain, September 1-5, 2004

Map

Route description

By Shane Stokes

Although lacking the lofty climbs of the three grand Tours, there are enough steep ascents and rolling roads scattered throughout the route of this year's Tour of Britain to really shake up the field. Somewhat sadistically, the first category one climb comes less than 12 kilometres into the start of the race.

As the climbs are relatively short it is likely that a strongman rather than a pure climber will come out on top at the end of the five days, although Robert Millar's victory in the 1989 Kellogg's Tour shows that it is possible for a flyweight to triumph on this kind of terrain.

In total the riders will cover just over 800 kilometres in the course of the race. High spectator and media interest is expected throughout, due in part to the GB track and road squad's excellent showing in the Olympic Games over the past month.

Click here for detailed descriptions of each stage

Race map