Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2018 Route stage 2: Bétera

Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2018 Route stage 2: Bétera - Albuixech

Thursday, 1 February 2018 - The 2nd stage of the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana is a demanding task in the medium mountains. The 154 kilometres route takes in five intermediate climbs. The race finishes in Albuixech, some 30 kilometres after the last peak.

Once the flag is dropped the road starts to climb gradually. Pico del Aguila is crested with 30 kilometres done and another 30 kilometres down the road the riders are at the summit of La Nevera. Both climbs are doable, yet you have to race all the way the way to the top and peaking at over 700 metres, it can be cold up there.

Now, the riders hit the route of last Vuelta’s 6th stage. Another non-steep climb up the Alto de Alcudia de Veo is followed by a short descent before the Puerto de Eslida appears. The first three climb were 3rd category, this one is 1st category. The Eslida is 5.2 kilometer while it is averaging 5.6%. At the top the riders are halfway down the route.

Time for a breather. For some 30 kilometres nothing much happens. Finding resources for the last climb of the day. Just as the Eslida, El Garbí is a 1st category ascent – although El Garbí is much longer. The climb amounts to 9.3 kilometres while the average gradient is 5.2%. The Garbí also featured in last year’s Vuelta a España’s 6th stage – and also as the last ascent.

Actually, the route of both stages is rather similar. Both with five intermediate climbs and the finish line some 30 kilometres after the last top. The Vuelta-stage was won by early attacker Tomasz Marczynski.

The first three riders on the line take time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds.