Vuelta a Burgos 2021: The Route

image: Cor VosThe Vuelta a Burgos started last Tuesday and is set to finish this Saturday. Giro winner Egan Bernal is one of the big names at the start. The race features two climbs from the upcoming Vuelta a España. (Slideshow route/profile)

The race begins with a stage from Burgos to Burgos. Stage 1 is played out on a big loop west of the city before the finale features a double ascent to the Castle of Burgos. This climb is 1.1 kilometres long and averages 6.1%. The first part is particularly steep.

The climb to the castle will be included in the ITT on the first day of the Vuelta a España.

The 2nd stage is played out on the undulating roads between Tardajos and Briviesca. The last 5 kilometres drop down to the line in the small town on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela.

The Vuelta a Burgos serves a second taste of the Vuelta a España on the third day of action. The finale features the Picón Blanco, which is a climb of 8 kilometres at 9.2%. While La Vuelta will finish at the top, the 3rd stage concludes with a 9 kilometer downhill into Espinosa de los Monteros.

Bunch sprint is written all over the 4th stage. The race travels on the flat from Roa de Duero to Aranda de Duero.

The second half of the 5th stage at the Vuelta a Burgos is a carbon copy of last year’s final stage. The riders tackle the Alto del Cerro (3 kilometres at 3.3%) and Alto del Collado de Vilviestre (3.4 kilometres at 3.5%) before continuing to Las Lagunas de Neila.

The glacial lakes are located at an altitude of 1,873 metres. The average gradient of the 11.8 kilometres ascent sits at 5.6%, while the hardest part is saved for last. The ultimate 3 kilometres go up at, respectively, 9.6%, 8.2% and 11%.

The Lagunas de Neila is a staple ascent at the Vuelta a Burgos. Iván Sosa must love the climb, as the Colombian won the stage to the lakes in 2018, 2019 en 2020.