The major difficulties are in the first half of the stage, but there is still a potential headwind and enough terrain to make for another hard day. The 11.3km, 610m (2,000ft) San Marcos Pass ascent will provide an excellent springboard for a well-motivated breakaway group. Descending the south side, the race enters the Santa Ynez Valley wine region, setting for the film Sideways.
The riders will next pass through Los Olivos, the site of Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch. Heading north up Foxen Canyon Road the race will cross through Santa Maria and then head to Guadalupe through this agricultural area’s fields of broccoli, carrots, melons and other produce. Expect another field sprint at the finish in Avila Beach. The contenders for the overall might want to avail themselves of the town’s hot springs as the next two days will be crucial in the race for the leader’s jersey.
-
Human Powered Health strikes two-year deal with Marta Lach to fuel WorldTour team's top-level ambitions
'The deal was done in 24 hours' says team general manager -
'Iconic Powerline not being part of the race is devastating but it's even more devastating that the mountain is on fire' - Melisa Rollins aims for second win at Leadville Trail 100 MTB
2024 winner of high-altitude Colorado race will debut colours as US champion from recent marathon cross-country mountain bike nationals -
Cycling transfers – All the latest news and announcements for the 2027 season
The ultimate guide to the pro cycling transfer window, tracking every move across the men's and women's WorldTours -
Quinn Simmons returns to Leadville Trail 100 MTB seven years on from his extraordinary teenage debut
Colorado native last competed at high-elevation mountain bike race in 2019 when he finished second
