Stage 2 preview
Stoke-on-Trent circuit
Stage 2 of the Tour of Britain takes the race to Stoke-on-Trent, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The city is a conurbation of six towns: Burslem, Tunstall, Stoke-upon-Trent, Hanley, Fenton and Longton, and stage 2 will pass through all of them. The stage is also 100 miles long in honour of the centenary.
Stage 2's first point of interest is the hot spot sprint at Stone after 14 miles. The route then passes around Uttoxeter and Rocester before reaching hillier terrain. The first climb comes after 40 miles at Ramshorn, which is followed by more lumpy terrain until the category one drag up to Hollinsclough Moor.
After a sharp descent to Tittesworth Reservoir, the riders will tackle Gun Hill, another category one climb at 67 miles. The day's second sprint is at Leek after 71.5 miles, then it's a hilly ride back to the finish with the last intermediate sprint at Wedgwood (93.3 miles). The stage finish is on Broad Street in the heart of Stoke-on-Trent.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
Cyclingnews Labs: A complete guide to all our industry-leading in-depth tech tests
From wind tunnels and rolling resistance rigs to bibshort pressure-mapping, here's all of our comprehensive testing in one place -
The master and mentor – Romain Bardet prepares for his Grand Tour farewell at the Giro d'Italia
'Really try to experience everything you do and grab every opportunity that comes along' French rider tells his Picnic PostNL teammates -
La Vuelta Femenina favourites - Who can beat Demi Vollering in first Grand Tour of 2025?
FDJ-Suez are formidable but face competition from outside favourites Pauline-Ferrand-Prévot, Mavi Garcia and more -
Justin Peck and Jen Tavé win muddy Ukiah Mendo Gravel Epic in fourth round of Grasshopper Adventure Series
Tavé rode solo for most of the 76-mile contest to step up from second place finish last year