The good news is that there’s less climbing in this stage than there was in any of the previous stages since Around The World arrived in Australia. And the even better news is that the first five miles and the last five miles are downhill. The bad news is that the bit in the middle more than makes up for it.
The rollout is significantly downhill, passing through Williams at five miles where there are two river crossings in quick succession: Coaling Creek and the Williams river. Inevitably, that means a climb on the way out of town, and it goes on for five miles, passing by Madjidin, Rocklea and The Glen on the way to the summit at Murrena.
Miles ten to eighteen are lumpy up and down with virtually no flat tarmac. The Albany Highway passes by Wallal South at twelve miles, Cheeryn at fourteen miles and Toorackie at sixteen miles. The end of the up and down stuff is at Tarwonga at eighteen miles where the descent kicks in.
The descent is initially sharp, down to Old Tarwonga and the crossing of Tarwonga Brook: but following the crossing, the road rises again for a short while before reconnecting with the descent which continues all the way to the start of the final left hander at twenty two miles that leads into the finishing straight. Alas, the finish itself is uphill so it’s best to save some energy for the sprint.
Distance: 24 miles / 38 kilometres
Ascent: 502 feet / 153 metres
RGT Magic Road: xIiurJ4LoFDX
Max elevation: 1191 ft
Min elevation: 842 ft
Total climbing: 499 ft
Total descent: -821 ft
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