Ruta del Sol 2022 Route stage 4: Cúllar Vega

Ruta del Sol 2022 Route stage 4: Cúllar Vega - Baza

Saturday 19 February - At 167.4 kilometres, the 4th stage of the Ruta del Sol travels from Cúllar Vega to Baza. The first part of the race is mountainous, the second part more undulating.

Shortly after the start the riders enter the Alto del Purche, which is a 6.5 kilometres climb with an average gradient of 7.7%. The Purche will also be present in de Sierra de Nevada stage of La Vuelta in September.

After descending to the Genil River the route continues towards the Puerto de los Blancares. This 9.4 kilometres climb at 3.4% is located on the lower slopes of the northern Sierra de Nevada.

The Puerto de los Blancares peaks out at almost 1,300 metres and the route descends to an elevation of some 700 metres.

Before moving through Gorafe the riders enter an irregular climb of 20 kilometres, mostly at shallow gradients. The route descends again before the last 20 kilometres are played out on undulating terrain with some sections climbing at 4 tot 5%.

Last year’s Ruta del Sol saw a stage going in the opposite direction – from Baza to Cúllar Vega. André Greipel sprinted to the last triumph of his career, besting Álvaro José Hodeg and Mads Pedersen.

Ride the route yourself? Download GPX stage 4.

Another interesting read: results 4th stage 2022 Ruta del Sol.