Denmark's national tour - currently known as the Post Danmark Rundt - combines the flat terrain the country is famous for with short, tough hills which should decide the general classification.

The race features six stages in five days with sprints, hilly efforts, and an individual time trial all featuring in what should be an action-packed event.

The Danish contingent in the peloton will be out to impress in front of their enthusiastic home fans, with a number of local teams on the startlist beside the WorldTour outfits.

Stages

Wednesday 22 August - Stage one: Randers to Randers - 191km

The opening stage begins and ends in the city of Randers and sends the riders on a loop of the Djursland peninsula, situated in the north east of the country. The first part of the stage is relatively flat but the peloton will have to tackle a number of short ascents starting at the 110km point. They will also have to be careful to not get caught out by any coastal winds before heading back inland for the finish, which is slightly uphill but should still culminate in a bunch sprint.

Thursday 23 August - Stage two: Logstor to Aarhus - 211km

The second stage is the longest of the race, taking the peloton south from Logstor to Aarhus on the east coast. The riders will feel all 211km as the route undulates throughout, with hardly any periods of extended rest. The up-and-down nature of the stage will encourage attacks from the overall contenders before the tough day in the saddle concludes with a loop around Aarhus, where there could be a re-grouping before the finish.

Friday 24 August - Stage three: Silkeborg to Vejle - 185km

The finale of stage three is set to be the decisive point in this year's race. The day's route continues the journey south through the country, with the finish being held in the hilly town of Vejle. The most explosive action will come on the final ascent to the finish line, which has to be climbed four times, and includes a maximum gradient of 21%. That vicious drag will be a crucial battleground in the fight for overall victory.

Saturday 25 August - Stage four: Ringe to Odense - 90km

Saturday will see the riders tackle two separate stages on the island of Funen, the first of which is a short trip to Odense, the third largest city in Denmark. There is not much in the way of challenging terrain, but the overall contenders will once again have to be wary of winds as they head along the coast. With just 90km to cover, the pace is sure to be high and a sprint finish is expected after three laps of a circuit in Odense.

Saturday 25 August - Stage five: Kerteminde (individual time trial) - 14.5km

The second stage of the day will be a crucial one for the general classification as the riders tackle the only time trial of the race around Kerteminde. The route is almost completely flat and is held mainly on straight stretches of road, meaning the real power riders are likely to excel. Although it is only a short test against the clock, the seconds gained or lost could decide who takes the overall honours with just one stage still to come.

Sunday 26 August - Stage six: Slagelse to Frederiksberg - 165km

The final stage of the race is a relatively straightforward affair that takes the riders east across the island of Zealand from Slagelse to Frederiksberg, on the outskirts of Copenhagen. The route is flat for the most part but the finishing circuit, which has to be tackled 10 times, contains the small climb of Valby Bakke, where a last-ditch attack could be made by one of the overall contenders. The finish line is also on a slight rise, but not one that should trouble the sprinters.

Tactics

Team Sky's line-up features sprinter Mark Cavendish, who will be on the lookout for stage victories on the flatter days. In addition, Lars-Petter Nordhaug and Michael Rogers will be looking to test themselves on the hillier stages which are likely to define the general classification.

Team Sky history

Team Sky enjoyed a hugely successful debut in the race last year as Simon Gerrans took overall victory, while Alex Dowsett and Dario Cioni also placed in top six. Race coach Kurt Asle Arvesen is a former winner of the race, taking the overall honours back in 2007 as well as finishing second twice. Mark Cavendish and Richie Porte have also won stages in the event.