The countdown to the Andalucía Bike Race (26 Feb – 2 Mar) is on, and today the organisers have announced details of what they promise will be a ‘spectacular prologue’ to get the race off to a start.
The six day stage race features 400km of riding and 12,000m of climbing, and sees teams of two competing to be crowned the overall winner.
A 34km prologue stage with 860 metres of climbing will get the riders into gear with an intense stage, passing through the most emblematic places of the historic centre of Córdoba.
It will begin with a neutralisation along Cordoba’s historic centre, in which the mountain bikers will ride through the Cristo de los Faroles square; the Bailío slope; and will even cross the city’s grand Roman Bridge and ride along the Calahorra tower.
The peloton will also cross the San Basilio district, popular thanks to the big amount of typical Cordoban “patio” houses; an example of the recent negotiation that is being carried out with the UNESCO so that these are considered Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
The Mosque and the Jewish Quarter, monumental symbols of Córdoba and essential part of what is considered one of the largest historic centres in Europe, will also receive the visit of the participants.
After this ride around the centre, the rest of the route will take place in the wonderful Sierra Morena, really close to the city; climbing along the Brillante and Arruzafa avenues and descending to the Guadamellato channel. From there, the riders will have to face the day’s major difficulty: the climb to Serranía del Sol along the Trasierra sidewalk, that will narrow down until it will force the riders to walk for a few hundrerd metres.
Once they start pedalling again and reach the summit, they will enter the Oz forest, a fun and beautiful stretch that will lead into Virgen de la Cabeza, followed by the singletrack that crosses the Bejarano stream, one of the most idyllic places of Andalucía Bike Race. Once the singletrack is left behind, the route returns to fast tracks, crossing Siete Fincas and facing the magnificent final descent to the finish line.
Córdoba will host two more stages of this international event: on Monday 27th of February and Tuesday 28th; followed by a third one in Priego de Córdoba; the competition will finish with two more stages in the province of Jaén.
Share