From Fribourg, the route leaves the sandstone city and returns to the open Swiss Plateau. Beyond Düdingen and Wünnewil, small villages, fields and quiet roads set the tone for much of the day. Further north, the landscape becomes flatter and wider, before Aarberg, Lyss and Büren an der Aare add more structure to the ride. Around Solothurn, river, old town and Jura hills move closer together. On the final kilometres towards Balsthal, the Jura becomes the dominant backdrop.
