With nearly 3,000m of accumulated climbing and a tough summit finish, stage 2 will provide the first chance for the fans to see the GC favorites reveal their intentions and show their form. Before reaching the race’s first difficulties, the course winds through Temecula’s wine region.
After 80 kilometres the route reaches Hemet and onto the 20km, 884m climb towards Idyllwild. A 24km, 1,220m drop brings the peloton into the Coachella Valley. The stretch to the summit finish could be ridden into a very stiff headwind, while the final ascent features a 6.4km, 580m climb averaging 9.7 per cent, the last half-mile at over 14 per cent.
With potential temperatures of around 38°C, a real epic is possible. Road signs warn drivers to turn off their air conditioning to avoid overheating as they climb. The contenders for the overall race title won’t have that same decision to make.
Article continues below
-
Sean Kelly's Classics column: Sometimes Pogačar doesn't need tactics to win
Tom Pidcock put in a monster ride, but he came up against an even bigger monster in Tadej Pogačar -
'Sometimes it is up to me to bang on the table and say that I am still here' – Why Lotte Kopecky demanding Milan-San Remo leadership is an ominous sign for the rest of the Classics
How the Belgian getting back on track sets her up perfectly for Flanders and Roubaix -
'Every detail counts at Milan-San Remo' – How former pro Niccolò Bonifazio taught Tadej Pogačar the secrets of Milan-San Remo
'Aero bikes are faster than ever but you've got to know how to use that extra speed' former Italian pro tells Cyclingnews -
'My legs felt heavy at the start of the race today' – Tom Pidcock comes through Milan-San Remo fatigue to claim third place on opening stage of Volta a Catalunya
Briton opened up final uphill sprint but overhauled by Dorian Godon and Remco Evenepoel
