Vuelta a España 2010

In 2010, the Vuelta a España will be celebrating its 75h Anniversary.

Over these past 75 years, the world and cycling have changed a great deal. That first edition held 75 years ago had 14 stages, almost all of which were over 250 kms long. What is to be the 75th “Platinum” edition will have 21 stages averaging 170 kms. A considerable difference aimed at being a spectacular event with shorter stages and fast-paced dashes to the finish line.

And the show will be getting off to a start in Seville, against the backdrop of the La Maestranza Bullring. On August 28th, a Vuelta as none ever before will be getting under way. A night-time team time trial through Seville’s most emblematic areas will be welcoming racers, sponsors, technical personnel and numerous spectators gathering to once again follow this excitingly vibrant events of three-week Spanish race.

Six summit finishes, two of which are newcomers to La Vuelta, will be crowding fans along the shoulders of the roads to greet the passing peloton. Xorret del Catí, where Alejandro Valverde earned himself the yellow jersey last year, Andorra’s Pal Pass, Peña Cabarga, which will be on the course for the second time, and Lagos de Covadonga will all be providing the enjoyment of great finishes just as in the past. The new finishing points in Cotobello in Asturias and the “Bola del Mundo” in Madrid, will be joining in with these icons to make the history of La Vuelta a España even greater yet.

Other heart-stopping finishes will be at the finish in Malaga with its Gibralfaro Castle, in Murcia with the Cresta del Gallo a few short kilometers from the finish line, Vilanova i la Geltrú in Catalunya with the new Rat Penat climb. All of these finishes, in conjunction with the 46-kilometer time trial in the homeland of the Ribera del Duero wineries will be shaping a Vuelta which – if last year’s edition amazed us – promises not to leave anyone indifferent.

The 75th Anniversary Edition of La Vuelta a España will be reminding us of our past, will be showing us a course heretofore unseen for the most part and will be giving rise to the wonderful days of racing that we still as yet have to enjoy decked out in red.

Stages in Communidad Valencia


7 Murcia – Orihuela
Friday September 3rd
170,0 kms.

We leave Murcia, a locality with a great deal of experience in La Vuelta, for Orihuela, hosting the stage finish for the first time in La Vuelta. The Orihuela stage will comprise part of the many events which will be held in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the birth of Miguel Hernández. The first week of the race winds up with a day which would theoretically seem well-suited to sprinters, as it has only one cat 3 climb at km. 112, known as the “Alto de Hondón de los Frailes.

This stage starts in Murcia, and ends in Orihuela, via Jacarilla, Algorfa, Rojales, Catral, Albatera, Hondon de las Neives, Aspes, Crevillente.

see the map at http://www.lavuelta.com/10/ingles/recorrido/etapa7.html

8
Villena - Xorret del Catí
Saturday September 4th
188,8 kms.

We arrive at the mountain in Alicante where Alejandro Valverde took the lead to then finally win the race. Travelling from newcomer Villena to Xorret del Catí on La Vuelta’s fifth visit to this summit finish line. The last four were a magnificent spectacle on the part of the racers. Five mountain passes mark the course leading up to the final climb: A cat 3, the Onil Pass, which made a name for itself in 2009, and three cat 2 climbs, the famous Tudons, Carrasqueta and Torremanzanas Passes.

A leg-breaking stage with a grueling course assuring a spectacular day, and goes through Biar, Onil, Alcoy, Concentaina, Benilloba.

9
Calpe - Alcoy
Sunday September 5th
187,0 kms.

Second stage of this mountain duo in the Autonomous Community of Valencia, totaling 187 kilometers with six mountain passes: two cat 3 and four cat 2 climbs. All well-known in the peloton, guaranteeing a real event in the stage with the most mountain passes in the entire 2010 Vuelta.

Calpe, which had not hosted a stage start since 1973, will be doing so this time with all eyes on the stage ending in Alcoy that may be reconfirming the changes that Corret del Catí leaves us in the general classification.

This stage starts in Calpe, and ends in Alcoy, via Moraira, Benitachelle, Javea, Denia, Ondara, Pedreguer, Llosa de Camarcho, Alcalali.

See the route map
http://www.lavuelta.com/10/ingles/recorrido/etapa9.html

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