Ruta del Sol 2016: The Route

Edition 62 of the Ruta del Sol, a.k.a. the Vuelta a Andalucia or Tour of Andalucia, is held from February 17 to February 21. In five days the race brings two mountain stages, one individual time trial, one party for the super fast men and another party for fast men who feel et ease on hilly terrain. Cyclingstage.com brings you the route of the 2016 Ruta del Sol.

Ruta del Sol, edition 2016, leaves from the province Huelva, near the Portuguese border, with stage 1 leading from Almonaster la Real to Seville. Following a hilly opening in 60 kilometres, the next 90 kilometres are on flat roads, making way for a bunch sprint in the streets of Seville.

Stage 2 offers chances for fast men as well, only difference is a 2nd category climb is to be crested with 22 kilometres left. The race closes with a circuit in Córdoba.

Friday, February 19, brings the first mountains when stage 3 takes the riders from Monachil to El Padul. At 158 kilometres, the course offers four climbs, while the last one, Puerto del Valle, is crested with 16 kilometres left.

The 21 kilometres ITT takes place in and around Alhaurín de la Torre. The Camino de Comendador is a section to be watched as this road rises at an average grade of 15%.

The closing stage doubles as Queen Stage. At 170 kilometres, riders are to crest four peaks before they head for the closing climb up Alto Peñas Blancas, Estepona - 16 kilometres at 6,2%.

Not for the first time, the Ruta del Sol offers a promising route and now it is up to the riders to turn the route into compelling racing.