Ruta del Sol 2016 Route stage 2: Palomares del Río - Córdoba

Thursday, February 18, 2016 – At 177 kilometres, stage 2 in the Ruta del Sol is played out between Palomares del Río and Cordoba. Mostly on flat roads, but a nasty climb is to be crested with 15 kilometres left, after which a drop takes the riders at high speeds into Europe's hottest city.

Departure place Palomares del Río lies just south of Seville, close to Coria del Rio, which was the decor of the ITT in 2015 with Javier Moreno powering to the win.

The course goes pretty much straightforward in the direction of Cordoba, where the race is set to close a local circuit. With around 22 kilometres left El Puerto de Santa María de Trassierra looms, a 5 kilometres climb at 6.5%. We can expect to see suffering sprinters on these slopes, while a 10 kilometres drop marks the finale. The last section is a false flat down.

It's been a few years since the Ruta finished in the hottest city of Europe. Both in 2010 and 2011, Oscar Freire was fastest.

Talking about Europe's hottest city. In summertime, the temperatures in Cordoba never get under 35 degrees Celsius, but in this time of year, February, the mercury fluctuates between 15 and 20 degrees. Perfect to bring compelling racing.

Race results/race report stage 2, Ruta del Sol 2016.