Ruta del Sol 2023 Route stage 1: Puente de Génave – Santiago de la Espada

Wednesday 15 February - The Ruta del Sol - or, Vuelta a Andalucia - opens with a 174 kilometres long race from Puente de Génave to Santiago de la Espada. Five climbs mark the route before the finale is a 7.4 kilometres descent to the line.

The route climbs from the start, first false flat, then on the Puerto de los Yesos. The mountain pass is crested at kilometre 19.5. Straight after the descent the route goes back up again. This is the Puerto de Onsares.

A more quiet phase leads to the base of the Puerto de Navalperal, an ascent of 8.1 kilometres with its crest just before the midwaymarker of the stage.

The longest climb of the day is the 16.5 kilometres drag up the Garganta de Hornos. Yet, the gradients are shallow, less than 3% on average.

The downhill is even more shallow and then the last climb of the day appears. The Despiernacaballos pass is 10.6 kilometres long and averages 5.6%. The riders plunge down to Santiago de la Espada before entering the slightly uphill home straight.

Ride the route yourself? Download GPX stage 1.

Another interesting read: results 1st stage 2023 Ruta del Sol.