Day 3 – From North Czech Republic to German Saxony: Mountain stage from Teplice to Olbernhau

Stage 3 of the 2025 Junior Peace Race will bring the toughest challenge of this year’s edition. The queen stage, spanning 112.7 km, starts in Teplice and takes the riders deep into the heart of the Ore Mountains (Krušné hory). Steep climbs and technical descents will form key moments that can significantly impact the general classification. For those aiming for overall victory, Saturday’s stage will be decisive.

Date: Saturday, May 10, 2025 - 2:00 PM
Stage 3: Road Race Teplice - Olbernhau (GER)
Start: náměstí Svobody, Teplice
Finish: Thomas-Mann-Strasse, Olbernhau (GER)
Race Distance: 112.7 km
GPM: 2x
Sprint: 2x

Start in Teplice

The third racing day traditionally features the most demanding stage of the Junior Peace Race — the queen stage through the Ore Mountains. The start is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Svoboda Square in Teplice, a spa town at the foot of the mountains in the Ústí Region. Teplice has long served as a cornerstone of Saturday's program, symbolically marking the transition from the opening stages to the mountainous challenge — a stage that aims to break up the peloton each year.

While Stage 1 offered a hilly and dynamic profile and Stage 2 catered to time trial specialists and sprinters, Saturday presents a completely different test: long ascents, technical descents, and high-altitude sections that will push riders to their limits. After two days in the Central Bohemian Uplands and the Elbe lowlands, the race now moves into the harsher landscape of the Ore Mountains — where the overall standings are likely to be reshaped.

Route and Stage Overview

The peloton departs from Teplice (210 m a.s.l.) and heads toward Duchcov, where the first intermediate sprint awaits at kilometer 12 (expected between 2:15 and 2:20 p.m.). The second sprint comes 11 kilometers later in Dubí, at kilometer 23 (approx. 2:35–2:40 p.m.). Just after that begins the first major climb of the day — the ascent to Cínovec.

At Cínovec (849 m a.s.l.), the first King of the Mountains (KOM) point is located at kilometer 32. From here, the riders enter a mountainous section that stretches over 60 kilometers of technically demanding terrain with relentless ascents and descents. The peloton will pass through Vitiška, Mikulov, Nové Město, Moldava, Klíny, Mníšek, and Nová Ves before reaching the Boleboř area. These sections will not only test the riders’ physical condition but also provide scenic and thrilling moments for spectators — especially in areas with switchbacks and panoramic views.

A decisive moment of the day may come at kilometer 92 in the village of Kalek, where the second and final KOM point is situated at an altitude of 852 meters. Given the length and difficulty of the stage, this could be where significant gaps emerge among the GC contenders. By this point, the peloton will likely be fragmented, and the battle for the yellow jersey may unfold among a select lead group that breaks away between the two KOM climbs.

At kilometer 97, the race crosses the national border at the Kalek–Rübenau checkpoint, taking the riders into German territory, where a long descent leads them toward the finish.

Finish in Olbernhau

As in previous years, the finish line will be in the town of Olbernhau, located in the heart of the German Erzgebirge at an elevation of 456 meters. After the challenging mountain section, the final stretch toward Thomas-Mann-Strasse will feature a technical descent — a setting ripe for dramatic chases or last-minute attempts to bridge gaps.

The finish is expected between 4:30 and 4:50 p.m. A large screen will be set up in the finish area to broadcast live coverage of the race, allowing fans to follow every key moment — from the first major climb to the final sprint. Spectators can look forward to an intense sporting experience with professional-level infrastructure and the vibrant atmosphere of an international cycling event.

The queen stage traditionally marks a turning point in the general classification — and this year will likely be no exception. The demanding terrain, high altitude, long climbs, and technical descents make Saturday’s stage one of the most important tests for any rider with aspirations of taking home the yellow jersey. To win the race, strength and courage must be shown here.