Ruta del Sol 2022: The Route

fotobureau Cor VosThe 2022 Ruta del Sol - aka the Vuelta a Andalucía - served a mountainous route. No time trial, but three uphill finishes accounted for selective racing. The race kicked into gear on Wednesday 16 February to finished on Sunday the 20th. (Slideshow route/profile)

The Ruta del Sol returns to its original time slot in February after last year's May edition.

At 201 kilometres, stage 1 is the longest of this edition. After a series of intermediate ascents the finish lies on a 1.3 kilometres climb to the line. Gonzalo Serrano won here two years ago.

The 2nd stage crosses a number of passes as well, and the finale is also similar. The last kilometre goes up at an unforgiving 11.5%. Ethan Hayter won here last year.

The sprinters are likely to have it their way in the 3rd stage of the Ruta del Sol, while stage 4 is mountainous in the first part and rolling in the second.

The last stage of the Ruta del Sol is packed with three classified climbs and a number of unlabeled ascents, including the toil to the line. The last race features roughly 2,900 metres of climbing.