Ruta del Sol 2021 Route stage 2: Iznájar

Ruta del Sol 2021 Route stage 2: Iznájar - Alcalá la Real

Wednesday 19 May - At 184.8 kilometres, the 2nd stage of the Ruta del Sol travels from Iznájar to the Castillo de la Mota in Alcalá la Real. The fortress is perched on a hill overlooking the town, which means the race finishes on a punchy climb.

Iznájar also hosted last year’s 2nd stage on the Ruta del Sol, or Vuelta a Andalucía. It served as a finish though. Gonzalo Serrano attacked on the punchy climb up into the town and held off the peloton to take the best win of is career.

A similar finale is likely to happen in Alcalá la Real, although the steep climb to the Castillo (or Fortaleza) de la Mota is slightly shorter. The ascent to the ruined 13th century fortress is 800 metres long and rises at 10%. Which is an average gradient – the road gets steeper near the finish line.

The route from Iznájar to the castle is far from flat either. After four classified ascents the Alto de la Hortichuela presents the toughest challenge. The 8.3 kilometres at 5.4% could very well turn out to be decisive. The riders reach the summit 9 kilometres before the finish line, while the ensuing downhill coincides with the base of the castle climb.