Stage 2 of the Czech Tour runs 155 km from Mladá Boleslav to the summit finish at Ještěd, a well-known television tower climb that consistently produces a select group of pure climbers at the line. Classified as a 2.Pro mountain stage, this is the first major GC test of the race and is likely to see attacks from the peloton's best climbers well before the finish. The compact but high-quality field makes this a genuine battle between a few elite-level climbers and a broader group of ambitious challengers.
★★★★
Topfavoriet
Mikel Landa is in a class of his own in this startlist, holding a climbing score of 79 — a full three points ahead of the next best. His Legendary card status and consistent performance in mountainous terrain across his career make him the overwhelming favourite for this summit finish.
Soudal Quick-Step
Soudal Quick-Step
Mikel Landa tops the climbing rankings with a score of 79, making him the standout favorite for this mountain finish at Ještěd. His Legendary rarity and class in mountainous terrain put him in a league of his own in this field.
★★★
Sterke Kanshebbers
Jordan Jegat and Jan Hirt both sit at climbing scores of 76 and 75 respectively and have been active in similar mountain races recently. Jegat's 11-race sample in similar profiles and Hirt's veteran experience give both riders a realistic shot at the podium if Landa can be challenged.
NSN Cycling
NSN Cycling
Jan Hirt boasts a climbing score of 75 and solid recent form across 7 similar-profile races, averaging 15.7 with a best of 9th. A veteran climber riding for NSN Cycling, he has the experience and legs to challenge on a finish like Ještěd.
TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies
Jordan Jegat carries the second-highest climbing stat in the race at 76 and has the most race experience in similar profiles (11 races), showing consistent if not spectacular form with a best finish of 7th. His Epic rarity and balanced skill set make him a genuine threat on the final climb.
★★
Buitenbeentjes
Jan Castellon leads this group with a podium finish (best: 2nd) in mountain-finish races, backed by a climbing stat of 75. Jack Haig's INEOS team muscle and Luca Covili's consistent top-10 appearances round out a trio capable of breaking into the top five.
INEOS Grenadiers
INEOS Grenadiers
Jack Haig carries a climbing stat of 75 and the backing of a strong INEOS Grenadiers squad. Despite a modest average position of 42.2 in recent similar races, his pedigree and team support make him a credible dark horse.
Caja Rural
Caja Rural
Jan Castellon has a climbing stat of 75 and the best form among the mid-tier climbers, averaging 22.4 across 9 similar races with a podium finish (best: 2nd). That podium result in mountain terrain signals real potential for a surprise result.
Bardiani CSF
Bardiani CSF
Luca Covili has a climbing score of 73 and the strongest consistent form outside the top tier, averaging 18.4 across 7 similar-profile races with a best finish of 5th. His repeated top-10 appearances in mountain finishes suggest he can be competitive here.
★
Om in de Gaten te Houden
Alessandro Fancellu's 6th-place finish in his only recent mountain-profile race makes him a genuine wildcard despite limited data. Mauri Vansevenant, Joe Blackmore, and Andrew August all carry climbing stats in the 73–74 range with specific profile strengths that could suit the Ještěd finish under the right race scenario.
MBH Bank CSB
MBH Bank CSB
Alessandro Fancellu recorded the best recent result of anyone in the field for similar-profile races, finishing 6th in his sole comparable outing. His climbing score of 73 is solid and he's worth watching as a potential surprise name.
INEOS Grenadiers
INEOS Grenadiers
Andrew August has a climbing stat of 74 and recorded a top-10 finish in similar-profile races in recent form. As part of a deep INEOS Grenadiers climbing roster, he could emerge if the team opts to use him as a protected rider.
NSN Cycling
NSN Cycling
Joe Blackmore stands out with an unusually high hills score of 77 alongside a climbing stat of 73, rated Epic rarity for NSN Cycling. His profile suits a finish like Ještěd, and his team has multiple climbing options to disrupt stronger squads.
Soudal Quick-Step
Soudal Quick-Step
Mauri Vansevenant holds a climbing stat of 73 and an impressive hills score of 76, suggesting he could be dangerous on a punchy mountain finish. The Soudal Quick-Step support structure around Landa could also give him freedom to attack.
Verdict
Mikel Landa, with the highest climbing stat in the race at 79, is the clear favourite for the Ještěd summit finish, with Jordan Jegat and Jan Hirt the most likely riders to challenge him on the road.