Stage 2 of the 2017 Tour of Austria will take the riders from the busy Austrian capital city of Wien to the quaint, bucolic town of Poggstall.
The route will navigate the Austrian countryside for 199.6 kilometers, and include two intermediate sprints and two mountain climbs. The first intermediate sprint will occur early at under 27 km into the stage, while the second sprint will take place around 100 kilometers later at the 133.4 km mark.
Beginning in the final 32 kilometers, the riders will face the imposing climb up to Jasenegg, not once, not twice, but three times before the finish in Poggstall. The path up to Jasenegg will take the riders to 560 meters in elevation on an average grade of 4.7% for 2 kilometers. The riders will then descend into the town of Poggstall after their third trip up to Jasenegg.
The trifecta of climbs towards the end of Stage 2 will not only test the riders' climbing abilities, but the ability of the leaders to know when to attack and when to conserve on the climbs and descents.
Cannondale-Drapac's Sep Vanmarcke will undoubtedly be looking to remain in the yellow leaders jersey once again after Stage 2, but twenty-four riders sit within 20 seconds of Vanmarcke in the general classification standings and will be eager to overtake the Belgian rider on a difficult stage.
Stephan Rabitsch (Felbermayr-Simplon-WELS) is well suited for Stage 2, having the ability to conserve for the first 150 kilometers before displaying his strength in the mountains for the final 50 kilometers.
We should also expect Austrian riders Markus Eibegger (Felbermayr-Simplon-WELS) and Felix Grossschartner (CCC Sprandi Polkowice) seeking a victory on Stage 2, as both riders are currently contending for the general classification title, as well as the best Austrian rider honor.
Dimension Data's Daniel Teklehaimanot is another rider that could have a shot at capturing the Stage 2 victory at this year's Tour of Austria, as the Eritrean cyclist is a known mountain contender having worn the polka dot jersey at the 2015 Tour de France.
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