Ruta del Sol 2025: The Route

fotobureau Cor VosThe route of the 2025 Vuelta a Andalucía was very mountainous, especially on the first two days. First held in 1925, the race celebrateed its centenary, starting on Wednesday, 19 February, and finishing on Sunday, the 23rd. (Slideshow route/profile)

The 1st stage starts from Torrox Costa and finishes, after a detour through the mountainous Axarquía region, at the Cueva de Nerja, just 15 kilometres east of the starting venue. In doing so, the riders conquer over 3,100 metres of climbing in just 162.6 kilometres.

Stage 2 is also tailor-made for the climbers. It takes the riders from Alcaudete to Torredelcampo, where a punchy finishing ramp awaits them. The elevation gain is 2,463 metres over just 133.2 kilometres.

The 3rd stage is a virtually flat race from Arjona to the Valle de los Pedroches, with the finish line in Pozoblanco. The home straight runs slightly uphill.

Córdoba hosts the start of the penultimate stage, the longest of the race at 195 kilometres, ending in Alhaurín de la Torre. It's an undulating test with another slighly uphill finish.

The first half of the final stage is mountainous, whil the second half is flat. The riders set off from Benahavís and finish in La Línea de la Concepción, where the overall winner of the Ruta del Sol will be crowned. The total elevation gain along the 168.1-kilometre route is 2,538 metres.

Last year's edition was cut to the bone after farmers protests. Only a 5-kilometre ITT remained, which was won by Maxim Van Gils. So, the Belgian rider claimed the overall title after riding just 5 kilometres.