la vuelta 24 - 31 Aug, 2019
Valencia is the second most mountainous region in Spain playing host to many of the decisive stages for La Vuelta a España and Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, two of the oldest and most prestigious stage races in professional cycling.
It is also an area with a rich history, incredible castles, fabulous vineyards and wonderful cuisine.
See the race and explore this amazing region in truly authentic Valenican style.
see the stages
For 2019 La Vuelta Espana will see the first five stages hosted in the Valencia region. We'll combine a brilliant weeks riding and race watching, for three of the stages, including the new mountain sensation in Javalambre.
We'll visit amazing places, enjoy stunning climbs and take time to stop and see some of the sightseeing highlights and sample the best cafes, restaurants and views to be found anywhere. The routes can adjusted to the group and personal preferences.
who is it for?
A week to suit all riders.
There are harder days with several climbs but we take some time to see the sights
Best suited to regular riders with some climbing experience or those less experienced riders looking to step up a level.
You can regularly complete rides of 50 to 75km.
For stronger and faster riders, extensions and more climbs are possible on most days.
how hard is it?
Difficulty: medium
Daily distance: tbd km
Total distance: tbd km
Daily climbing: tbd m
Total climbing: tbd m
Minimum group size: 4
Maximum group size: 8
highlights
see Stage 2 Live
see Stage 3 Live
see Stage 5 Live
Xativa Castle
Villena
Fontanars Bodegas
Port del Moro
Agres Convent
Alto del Portillol
Port Bocairent
Cumbres de Valencia
Alcoy city of Bridges
trip overview
Summary of the weeks riding, daily distances and climbing. Rides extensions available to add more mountains, typically 10-40km and 500-1000m. We can also tailor the riding as required for the group.
Day 01 Arrival day & welcome reception
Day 02 alcoy - tbd km tbd m
Day 03 biar - tbd km tbd m
Day 04 navalon - 110 km 2200m
Day 05 javalambre - 20-40km 1500m
Day 06 mogente - 99 km 1500m
Day 07 xativa - 115 km 2000m
Day 08 depart
The itinerary is indicative of the planned week, it may be adapted according to your arrival and departure flights, local conditions, and to the level of the group - enabling riders to get the best out of their week.
day 01: arrival
One of the escapar team will meet you on arrival at the airport and transport you directly to the retreat.
f you are arriving on an early flight and wish to ride after assembling your bike or fitting of our hire bike, we can recommend an easy rolling route towards Albadia or Fontanars. It's locally known for good reason as the 'Tuscany of Valencia'. We have many other routes to choose from, if you want something more challenging.
day 02: alcoy (stage 2)
We ride to watch the race come through Alcoy and Cocentaina. There's a chance for riders to get away on the Alto Benilloba and Puerto Confrides before the sprint teams try to bring it back together before they arrive in Calpe.
We'll ride through the stunning Serra Mariola out and back.
More details coming soon.
day 03: biar (stage 3)
The race visits our door step for a rolling day of hills and two 3rd cat mountains in Biar and Tibi.
We'll ride to Villena and Biar via the Beneixama and the wine country roads to Fontnars.
More details coming soon.
day 04: big ride
The race heads north of Valencia and we'll have the chance to enjoy a bigger ride before returning to the Finca to watch the spring finish in El Puig. It's potentially a day for the puncheurs and climbers like of Sagan and Valverde who can get away from the pure sprinters on Puerto del Oronet 40km from the finish.
With no race day logistics, we have the option to do big ride with multiple extension and climbs to suit the group and individuals.
More details coming soon.
day 05: javalambre (stage 5)
The stage generating all of the excitement, as the race enters new terrain and visits the 2000m Alto del Javalmabre ski station in Tereul for the first time in its history.
We'll take the support vehicle and bikes to ride the mountain and catch the summit finish , before returning to the Finca in the evening.
The day can also be taken as rest day if riders wish to stay with the support vehicle.
day 06: mogente
We roll out from the Finca and drop down to briefly follow the Clariano (Ontinyent) river taking us towards Ontinyent, where it's a short sharp climb backup to cross the stunning Santa Maria bridge and onto the mountains of the Serra Grossa. We take Port de Portitxol north, with its stunning views of the Vall D'Albaida, Serra Grossa and Costera plains, matched by a spectacular descent, down through the gorge into Mogente, Nearby was pss El Pobalado Ibero de La Bastida de les Alcusses, a 4th century BC Iberian city of major importance. We continue towards Fontanars del Alforins passing Celler del Roure, where wine is made with ancient amphora.
We stop in Fontanars at a world renowned Bodega for refreshments and then take the valley descent back towards Ontinyent and onto Port del Paller. From the Paller it's a thrill ride down the Portillol back to the Finca.
day 07: xativa
We ride west and north through the pretty villages of the Vall d'Albaida with stunning views of the Sierra de Benicadell. We take Port Salem, perhaps the climbing highlight of the week and loop back around Beniarres and Port d'Albaida to head north towards lake Bellus before arriving in Xativa. There's a short climb to the castle, where we stop to explore and take in the most fantastic views in every direction. The castle sits on Vernissa hill on the strategic Via Augusta and was declared a National Monument, having been built and developed by Iberians, Romans and Borgia's.
We take lunch and refreshments and ease into the afternoon on gentle road to Vallada, before a tough final climb of the week into the Serra and finish with a flying descent down the Portillol into Ontinyent for Jijoneca helado in the Placa Concepcion.
what is included?
7 nights accommodation
scheduled airport transfers
daily room cleaning service
cycling kit wash
swimming pool and towels
Wifi
transfers to Javalambre
the riding
5 days guided cycling
support vehicle
mechanical assistance
secure bike storage
comprehensive route guides
GPX route map files
organisation of rest day trips
food & drink
welcome reception
continental breakfast
coffee & soft drinks
post-ride refuel
restaurant bookings
restaurant transport
not included
flights
travel insurance
road side lunches
cost of evening meals
hire bike insurance