Fuglsang and Izagirre (Astana), Mas and Soler (Movistar Team), Landa and Bilbao (Bahrain) are firm candidates for victory on the Ruta del Sol that begins this Wednesday.
Marc Soler and Enric Mas, the two leaders of the Movistar Team 2020.
This Wednesday will take place at the 66th Vuelta a Andalucía-Ruta del Sol in Alhaurín de la Torre (Malaga). This is a five-stage round that has won the fight for its survival in recent years of deep economic crisis. With your feet on the ground and dependent, in part, on the contributions of other events of the organizer, Deporinter, the Andalusian round enjoys good health.
The participation is headed by the defender of last year's title, the Danish Jakob Fuglsang, which has also survived an unpleasant episode related to doping: a 'ghost' report from the independent agency created by the UCI that recounted its encounters with the doctor Michele Ferrari, disabled for life because of its prohibited activities. Filtered to two media in Denmark this month, the UCI decreed the folder to the investigation. With him, in the Astana, run Ion Izagirre, that the Route of the Sun is rarely lost.
Two other couples of runners stand out as probable candidates for the final triumph, on Sunday in Mijas. In the Movistar Team Your two leaders appear for this year, Enric Mas, the star signing of the season, and Marc Soler, which premiered in the Challenge Mallorca the victory counter of the 'telephone'. In the Bahrain McLaren debuts Mikel Landa, with his powerful partner Bilbao hair, which premiered the jersey of his new team in the Tour of the Valencian Community.
Among the cyclists of remarkable pedigree stand out David de la Cruz (UAE Emirates), Oliver Naesen (Ag2r), Jan Bakelants (Circus Wanty), Brian Coquard (B&B Vital Concept) or Niki Terpstra (Total Energie). Among the 21 teams in competition are the Spanish Movistar, Burgos BH, Euskadi, Caja Rural, Kern Pharma and Kometa.
The tour promises. Every day there are difficulties, starting with the first one (Alhaurín-Grazalema, 174 km), with five ports, the last of 12 km at 6%, Las Palomas, six kilometers from the slope goal of the town of Cadiz.
Thursday, from Seville to Iznajar, 199 kilometers will be traveled. It is the longest stage but also the one that least difficulties opposes a massive arrival, in a final stretch in slight ascent.
The legs are already prepared for Queen stage between Jaén and Úbeda, which is developed by the Sierra Mágina during almost all its 176 kilometers. Constant goes up and down, with top-notch ascents in Solera and Mágina, but ascension to Baeza (2nd) just 14 kilometers from the monumental and historic city of Úbeda will be, perhaps, more important in the result.
The stop of the Purche will be the judge of the fourth stage, That will take from Villanueva Mesía to Granada in just 126 kilometers. It is crowned 17 km from the finish line, which proposes a nice chase in the descent and in the streets of the Nasrid capital.
On Sunday, the end of the party promises excitement or even overturns in a 13km individual time trial in Mijas, which is not flat.
The race can be followed live on Eurosport, which will also offer the Tour of the Algarve, which will take place on the same dates of the Andalusian round and will feature the debut of Vincenzo Nibali with the Trek Segafredo. And it is announced Remco Evenepoel (Deceuninck Quick Step).
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