Pre-Tour – Saturday 31 August 2024: Arrive to Madrid
We understand that some of you may arrive from further afield than Europe, so we offer an optional pre-tour arrival today. You can arrive throughout the day and be in situ in the morning to start our tour.
Arrive in Madrid at your own leisure. If you would like a complimentary airport pick-up, we can organise this at approximately 2pm. Check-in to your central Madrid hotel and join the guides as they help you with your bike-build or bike-fit if you opt to hire one of our carbon road bikes. This evening over dinner listen-in to the amazing week of Vuelta cycling we have in store for you!
Bike boxes
Please note that we have planned for bike boxes and bags to be left in Madrid for the duration of the tour to avoid them taking up space in our tour vehicles.
Sleep: H10 Puerto de Alcala Madrid or similar
Day One - Sunday 1 September 2024: Transfer to our first hotelOviedo
Transfer to our first hotel
This morning please join our tour in Madrid. If you would like a complimentary airport pick-up, we can organise this at 11.00. We will depart Madrid from hotel H10 Puerto de Alcala Madrid at 14.00. Please ensure that you are on time as we will not be able to delay our departure.
If you are travelling with a bike box, please leave enough time to build your bike as we will store your bike box in Madrid for the duration of the tour. Our staff are happy to assist.
Bike boxes
Please note that we have planned for bike boxes and bags to be left in Madrid for the duration of the tour to avoid them taking up space in our tour vehicles.
Bike rental
If you have rented a bike with us then we will fit your bike this afternoon.
Highlights:
- Transfer from Madrid to TBC
- Rental Bike fitting
- Relax at the hotel pool or Spa
- Evening meal at the hotel
2023 Hotel (2024 TBC): Balneario Las Caldas
Day Two – Monday 2 September 2024: The mythical Lagos de Covadonga
Itinerary based on 2023
Today is all about taking advantage of the Vuelta rest day. Whether you are a photographer, nature lover, hiker, or cyclist everyone must visit Lagos de Covadonga (lago = lake). The majestic lakes which are found at the summit are not featured in the 2023 race edition. Don’t worry though we will get you there by bike!
In the morning there will be a 45min transfer towards the Cantabrian Sea. The first climb on the cards is the impressive Mirador del Fito (Mirador = Lookout). Get the legs going with this 7km climb at 7.9% average grade. The work needs to be done when the double-digit grades strike between KM3-5. With green vegetation all around and a snaking road up to the lookout, the Asturian coastline views will be sure to impress!
The descent now delivers you to the base of the Picos de Europa National Park. These mountains are commonly referred to as ‘Pequeño Dolomiti’ (Little Dolomites). 14km of constant climbing (7% average) takes you up to the towering limestone peaks. There is a testing 3km stretch during the mid-section which constantly hovers around 11% average. Make sure you are ready to cover any stage-defining attacks! Lagos de Covadonga was first included during the 1983 Vuelta race. During the last 40 years there have been no less than 21 epic stage finishes. It is one of the most loved climbs with the ‘aficionado’ and Spanish and French champions Pedro Delgado and Laurent Jalabert respectively are the only riders to have taken out multiple stage wins.
After completing the Fito / Covadonga double you might just be granted Asturian citizenship! Jokes aside, this double was last used during Stage 15 of the 2018 Vuelta when Thibaut Pinot took line honours over Miguel Angel Lopez and Simon Yates. Some pretty good company there!
Highlights:
- Ride Lagos de Cavodonga: 75km / 2200m elevation gain
- Evening meal at the hotel
2023 Hotel: Balneario Las Caldas
Day Three – Tuesday 3 September 2024: Stage 16: TBC
Itinerary based on 2023
Picos de Europa
In 1936 La Vuelta arrived in Asturias for the first time. Now you too are here to ride and watch as the 2023 race moves into Asturias. Today the pro peloton has a date with destiny, and it goes by the name Bejes! We thought we would never see the day with a stage finish up to Bejes. It is a narrow mountain road up to a remote landscape which is well known in the Asturian mountain bike scene. Logistically it will be a mission for La Vuelta organisers to set-up the finish line and it will be a 100% unique experience for everyone who is passionate about this great race.
To kick-off our ride though, today we will begin from Llanes, a coastal township with plenty of charm. A quick coffee and we’ll be off in search of quiet roads up to ‘Alto de la Torneria’. This 8.75km climb with 5% average grade hides its nasty secrets until the final 2km (a constant 10% grind). Be sure to take in and enjoy the coastal views in the first 6km as the finish is likely to involve plenty of head down, and bum up.
Special sites along the route continue with big mountain views over to the ‘Naranjo de Bulnes’ peak and a scintillating 10km stretch of deep canyon road called Desfiladero de la Hermida. The desfiladero (gorge/canyon) brings you all the way to the base of Bejes and this new Vuelta climb will be sure to see some explosive attacks. A short 6km climb with 8.5% average grade and a non-stop 12-15% section between KM3 – 4.5. We will be roadside to watch Vuelta history before a 2hr transfer back to our hotel on the outskirts of Oviedo.
Highlights:
- Ride: 85km / 2000m elevation gain
- Watch: Bejes climb
- Evening meal at the hotel
2023 hotel: Balneario Las Caldas
Day Four – Wednesday 4 September 2024 – Here it is – L’Angliru
Itinerary based on 2023
Angliru
Are you ready? Having cycled this monster several times we can honestly say that you are never really ready for L’Angliru. If your bike has the right gearing – compact cranks with at least a 32-rear cassette, you have some training in the legs and strong willpower this should be enough to get you to the top. This will probably be your greatest road cycling achievement to date and for all times for that matter.
To get things started we will transfer 30min east to Nava to intersect with the Stage 17 race route. From here you can ride the challenging final 80km race route all the way to the L’Angliru summit finish.
Our official VIP race passes will get you to a strategic position on the Angliru climb. For those who want to ride to the summit then let’s go. For others, your goal should be to reach the halfway point and ride straight into the VIP area. Grab a cold drink, or snack, and sit back and watch all the race action on the big screen. Due to its extreme difficulty, reaching the Angliru summit is not for everyone, but being here to watch Stage 17 LIVE is what it is all about!
El Alto del Angliru was first introduced by La Vuelta organisers during 1999. The 12.5km climb with 10.2% average grade we think puts it in the top 3 of all European road cycling climbs. Sounds tough right! But wait for it, the final 6.5km average 13.5% with half a dozen extended ramps ranging between 19 to 23.5%. ‘Un autentico infierno’ as the locals would say! As soon as L’Angliru made race news, it spread like a wildfire across the cycling world. There have now been 8 stage finishes since 1999 and Alberto Contador is the only rider with multiple stage wins.
Our hotel is only a 25km drive from the VIP access area! Tonight, the local ‘cachopo’ could be the perfect meal to return some muscle protein for the following days. Two pieces of prime Asturian beef, crumbed and filled with ham and cheese should do the trick! For the vegetarians in the group don’t worry as Asturias is home to some hearty beans and vegetables dishes. Asturias is synonymous with the term ‘comer de cuchara’ (eat with a spoon) and its stews are famous Spain-wide.
Highlights:
- Ride: 55k / 1900m elevation gain or 80km / 2500m elevation gain
- Watch: Finish Hospitality on the Angliru climb
- Evening meal at the hotel
2023 hotel: Balneario Las Caldas
Day Five – Thursday 5 September 2024 – Vuelta Innovations – La Cruz de Linares
2023 itinerary
La Cruz de Linares
Today we will roll-out from the front door of the hotel. After 20km our ride encounters the famous ‘El Cordal’ climb which in La Vuelta typically precedes any Angliru assault. After a tough day yesterday, the climb to ‘El Cordal’ summit will be a good warm-up. It is a constant 8km climb with an 6% average grade.
As you have probably now guessed, Asturias is full of climbs and from El Cordal we have the chance to link-up with ‘La Cobertoria’ and ‘El Gamoniteiru’. La Cobertoria is a modern classic which has been used as a stage summit finish during the 2006 and 2010 Vuelta editions. We will intersect La Cobertoria with 3.5km to the summit. However, for those with good legs, why not also add the ‘El Gamoniteiru’ climb by turning off just prior to La Cobertoria summit. In 2021 Miguel Angel ‘Superman’ Lopez won the only ever edition on El Gamoniteiru. 7.5km and 600m elevation gain speaks of a solid workout, but wait for it, the final km to the summit averages 13.5%. El Gamoniteiru finishes up to a dead-end so this will be treated as an optional extra.
Now that we’ve got your heart rate up we continue towards the edge of the Las Ubiñas-La Mesa Natural Park. This cycling route follows the valley directly west and behind the massive l’Angliru massif in search of ‘La Cruz de Linares’ climb. This Stage 18 summit finish will be rolled-out for the first time in Vuelta history. La Cruz de Linares is a 7km climb with 8.9% average grade. The first 4km average 11% and watching the finish live here will be race defining.
With the finish line being so close to our hotel you can decide to take a van transfer or ride a further 25km (mostly downhill and flat) to round out an epic hotel loop ride.
Highlights:
- Ride: 70km / 2000m elevation gain or 85km / 2600m elevation gain
- Watch: Finish at Cruz de Linares
- Evening meal at the hotel
2023 Hotel: Balneario Las Caldas
Day Six – Friday 6 September 2024 – Active recovery – Stage 19 start line
Based on 2023 itinerary
Avila
This morning we will depart Asturias. We will break up the journey to Madrid with a one-night stay in Avila. With all the big Asturian mountains now conquered and a distant silhouette, a gentle ride through the plains of Castille & Leon will be a nice reprieve. You will start in Astorga which is famous for its strategic position along the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. Pedal past ‘Palacio Episcopal’ which was designed by Gaudi himself (yes the famous architect from Barcelona). The 50km cycling route will finish in La Bañeza with time to watch the Stage 19 start from the VIP enclosure. After the finish we will drive 2h from La Bañeza to Avila which is a beautiful walled town.
Highlights
- Ride: 50km / 300m elevation gain
- Watch: Start Village Access and Race Finish
- Evening meal at the hotel
2023 Hotel: Hotel Palacio de los Velada in Avila
Day Seven – Saturday 7 September 2024 – Stage 20
Based on 2023 itinerary
Guadarrama mountains
The Guadarrama mountains immediately north of Madrid historically shape the final Vuelta podium positions. This year will be no different, with a stage of intense racing planned which includes ten Category 3 climbs over a parcours exceeding 200km. Expect breakaways, plenty of attacks and riders who excel in medium mountains to take it to the General Classification contenders. We will base ourselves near Robledo de Chavela where the race happens to pass by on three occasions. It will be a fun day with plenty of Vuelta action to keep things interesting. Post-stage there will be a 1hr drive back to Madrid.
In Madrid, your bike and bike box will be reunited and we will assist you with putting your bike back so it’s ready for travel.
Highlights:
- Ride: 100km / 1500m elevation gain
- Watch: 3 LIVE race viewings
- Evening Meal: Free to make your own arrangements in Madrid
2023 Hotel: H10 Puerto de Alcala Madrid
Day Eight – Sunday 8 September 2024 – Stage 21 Vuelta Twilight Finish
Madrid
This morning you will enjoy a 2.5-hour leisurely city bike tour through the heart of Madrid. With its many small interconnecting one-way lanes, it is a fantastic city for commuting providing you know your way around of course! The route will include the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Puerto del Sol and the Retiro park. Post-ride we would like to invite you all for a Tapas lunch in the heart of the city centre. Rental of a hybrid bike is included today.
As the sun starts to set over Paseo de la Castellana (Spain’s version of the Champs Elysees) the wizz of the wheels will return to Madrid. After many difficult mountain stages, the surviving sprinters will have the final say. The post-race celebrations around the Cibeles fountain are spectacular. Remco Evenepoel was a somewhat surprise winner of the 2022 edition. Will he be back to defend his title in 2023? This evening will be a fitting celebration of a great time spent on the bikes.
Neptuno Hospitality
Three weeks of intense, emotional racing come to an end in Madrid. This final, spectacular stage takes place on an urban circuit that allows us to discover the many wonders and the festive atmosphere that the Spanish capital has to offer. Come and celebrate the final kilometres of this mythical race with the cyclists in ideally placed areas.
This year, the riders will cross the finish line for the first time at around 4.00 pm and again for the last time at around 5.30 pm
- Ideal location next to the finish line
- Great view over the race
- Race broadcast live on plasma TV screens
- Gourmet cocktail
- Open bar all afternoon
- Exclusive “La Vuelta” gift
Highlights
- Ride: City bike tour
- Watch: Neptuno Finish Hospitality
- Meals: Tapas Lunch, Neptuno hospitality (snacks) and evening meal free to make your own arrangements
Hotel: H10 Puerto de Alcala Madrid
Day Nine – Monday 9 September 2024 – Adios from Madrid
Madrid
Following breakfast our guides will be available to transfer you to Madrid Airport. We can have you at the airport by 10:30 am so please keep that in mind when organising any onward flights. We trust you have enjoyed your Vuelta cycling experience and we look forward to seeing you again soon!
