Montjuic climb set to be decisive in Tour de France's coastal stage

The second stage of the Tour de France presents a demanding finish with three ascents of Montjuic in Barcelona. This 168.5-kilometer route, stretching from Tarragona to Barcelona, largely follows the Mediterranean coast. After an initial flat section, punctuated by the second-category Cota de Begues climb, the stage culminates in a challenging 20-kilometer finale. This section includes three ascents of Montjuic, a climb famously featured in the Volta a Catalunya. The final ascent to the castle is a steep 1.6 kilometers at a 9.3% gradient, followed by a short descent and a final 700-meter stretch to the Olympic stadium at a 7% gradient. This demanding finish has historically decided races, with notable winners like Remco Evenpoel, Tadej Pogacar, and Primoz Roglic conquering it in recent years. While not excessively dangerous, the terrain offers significant opportunities for general classification contenders and ambitious riders seeking a prestigious stage win.