This year’s course for the World Championships in Austria is one of the hardest ever. With 260km ( 162mi ) of racing and a whopping 4,670 metres ( 15,320 ft ) of gained altitude, it is designed for the climbers. The finish could be compared to the Giro di Lombardia’s (autumn classic) and the overall climbing to that of Liege-Bastogne-Liege's (spring classic), but it is unique in the relentless pursuit of pain and concentration, with punishing climbs and breakneck descending. The race starts in the town of Kufstein and it winds south-westerly along the River Inn. There are three lumps almost from the off and they will be the springboards for teams and riders who have no hope to win but are eager to showcase their abilities in a breakaway. The first proper test comes after about 65km (40mi), over the Gnadenwald : a short climb of 2.6km ( 1.6mi ) with an average gradient of 13% , which will be used in the individual time trial as well. www.innsbruck-tirol2018.com On