After a tough time trial the day before, this is the stage where the overall leader will face his greatest challenge in defence of the leader’s jersey while his rivals will take their best shot at wresting it from his shoulders. Starting in Livermore, the race will complete a 100km loop including the Morgan Territory climb and a descent into California’s Central Valley before climbing back into the Livermore Valley over the stair-stepped ramps of the wind-swept Patterson Pass.
The base of Mount Diablo awaits but it will be over 12km into a headwind – sound familiar? – before the final climb. The climb starts with the familiar gentle 10km ascent of South Gate Road. But the final 8km steepen to seven per cent – with the final 500 metres at 17 per cent. This short, steep pitch should produce some exciting drama in an already action-packed stage.
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'I really felt like I was in the mix again' - Puck Pieterse finds form in fast Dendermonde 'cross World Cup
Dutch champion lands second place behind Lucinda Brand -
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup: Thibau Nys wins in Dendermonde as Wout van Aert takes sixth
Brutally fast race in absence of Mathieu van der Poel sees Del Grosso and Sweeck on podium -
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup: Lucinda Brand indomitable in Dendermonde
Pieterse, Fouquenet round out podium in round eight
