Well before this high point, the 202.2 kilometer route starts from Roskilde, the former capital of Denmark from the 10th to the 15th century, and twirls many times, often near the sea. It offers as many opportunities for attack and breaks in the peloton, as long as the wind (announced at 25 km/h with gusts of 30 km/h), blows along the coast on a road devoid of natural shelter.

“The peloton could be scattered before even crossing the bridge”, warns race director Thierry Gouvenou, director of a suspenseful final.

Approaching its conclusion for the day, the race passes over the arm of the sea which separates two of the main Danish islands (Seeland and Funen), an important road axis built almost a quarter of a century ago and exceptionally blocked for the Tour.

At the end of these 18 kilometers promised to a total commitment, the finish line is close, barely 3 kilometers.

"If we are left behind, there will be no time to organize and try to come back," warns Gouvenou.

Route of the 2nd stage of the Tour de France 2022 between Roskilde and Nyborg in Denmark on July 2 AFP

Departure from Roskilde at 12.15 p.m. (launched at 12.35 p.m.), arrival in Nyborg around 5.11 p.m. (forecast at 44 km/h on average).

© 2022 AFP