The 81st Škoda Tour LuXembourg promises to be attractive
 
Punchers, sprinters and time trial specialists, the 81st edition of the Škoda Tour LuXembourg offers a versatile route. The successor of Diego Ulissi, crowned in 2020, must be a complete rider.
 
Like the previous edition, the Škoda Tour 2021 will start on Tuesday, September 14th from the Coque, the National Sports and Culture Center. Along this 140km loop to the north of the Grand-Duchy, this 1st stage will offer the peloton some pretty climbs, including the Bourscheid hill (7.57%) and the Stafelter hill (6.5%) whose summit is located only 9 km from the finish. The punchers should be celebrating on this day, which will end on Boulevard Konrad Adenauer, near the European school, after a climb of around 3 km.
 
Wednesday September 15th, the 2nd stage will start in Steinfort and will move in the direction of the Belgian border with 186.1km on the riders menu. The climbers will find a particularly favourable playground with seven GPM being served. These include the climbs of Holtz (5.39%), Boulaide (5.15%) and Kaundorf (9.41%). Included on this route is a local circuit of 23km which will need to completed twice, effectively making the riders climb 3 times over the climb of Eschdorf (8.42%) for a decisive victory. Interestingly, in 2017, the Tour de France peloton also enjoyed this climb during the 3rd stage between Verviers and Longwy. 

The east of the country and the Moselle-Valley will be in the spotlight on Thursday 16th September with the 3rd stage linking Mondorf-les-Bains to Mamer. The sprinters should take advantage on this 189.3km day to distinguish themselves even if the Beaufort coast (6.39%) and the climbs of Brouderbur (6.15%) and Mariendallerhaff (8.27%) are on the route of the peloton. The winner of the day will be known at the end of the third crossing of the line after two 15.8 km laps via Kehlen and Kopstal. The arrival will take place near the house of Nicolas Frantz, which is a great way to pay tribute to the double winner of the Tour de France (1927 and 1928).

After the punchers and the sprinters, the time trial specialists will meet in Dudelange on Friday September 17th. For the first time since 2005, an individual time trial is once again on the program of the Škoda Tour. With more than 25 km of solo effort including the "Laangegronn" climb, this 4th stage promises to be decisive for the yellow jersey.
 
The Škoda Tour epilogue is scheduled for Saturday 18th September between Mersch and Luxembourg over the distance of 183 km. As was the case last year, this 5th and final stage, which promises to be hilly, will end in Limpertsberg at the Hall Victor Hugo after two local circuits of 11.6 km. These circuits are marked in particular by the ascent of Pabeierbierg (825 m at 9% ).