Tour of New York 2016 Part II

Stage 5 - Ithaca - Binghampton 220.7km
Another long flat stage to test the riders. Not hugely difficult but some of the later climbs coupled with the distance will really hurt. With more than 400km in the legs in two days, whichever team is leading will be grateful of the shorter stage tomorrow.

The finishing laps around Binghampton are totally flat and untechnical. Expect to see the bunch lined out as the sprint favourites ask their teams to keep the pace high through downtown Binghampton.










Stage 6a - Liberty - Mohonk Mountain House 88.9km
The queen stage of the race. The first challenge is the Mohonk Preserve climb which comes after 54km. On paper it doesn't look like being that difficult - 8.4km @3.9% but with sections of 6%, 8% and 10%. At the top there will be a downhill dash before a flat run to New Paltz. There will then be another chance for the riders to show their climbing legs with the climb to the Mohonk Mountain house. There's 9.7km from New Paltz to the finish but it's the middle 3.9km which feature the hardest climb - 3.9km @7% before a 3.4km false flat to the finish.

With the level of difficulty during the stage, how many riders will be left to contest the finish?




Stage 6b - Mohonk Mountain House TT 18.5km
The winner of the Tour of New York will almost certainly be crowned today. This is a tough stage to ride, the actual length of climbing is just 3.9km, but you feel that riders would lose handfuls of time on a time trial bike, equally the other 15km are flat so riding these on a normal road bike is unwise. The winner will likely be a time trialler who can hang on in the hills - Tony Martin for example.

By sending the race back up the climb that they finished on earlier in the day will be advantageous for the supporters who can stay on the climb all afternoon and witness some excellent racing.

The finishing climb to Monhok will excite the climbers who have had a tough week on the flat. The false flat run in will be tough for lone attackers and it might suit a small group who have gone away on the steep sections. It could also be a stage for a strong classics style rider who can hang with the climbers and then go away inside the final 3km.




Stage 7 - New York Criterium 12.2km x 8 laps
This could certainly be seen as the queen stage. A criterium in downtown New York is a massive occasion for any sponsor and the sprinters will be extra motivated. The course is significantly different from the opening criterium. Because it is held in Central Park, the route consists of sweeping corners and long straights and so is different to the classic inner city criterium route.

The start and finish line is at West 57th Street just east of Carnegie hall, offering what must be the most urbanised finish in world cycling. The finish is also a great cycling
showcase for the people in New York who, as we've mentioned, have been poorly served by bike races in the last few years. A New York City finish will ignite the interest in cycling in the city and, coming just a week before the Champs Elysees finish could be the finest finish in world cycling.






To find these routes please go to plotaroute.com and type ToNewYork into the search bar. The Monhok profile is created using http://paooolino.altervista.org/elevation-chart/

Let me know if you have any questions about this route or any suggestions. I will be revisiting it and adjusting before the end of April.