Category: Previews

Paterna > València 92.7km The final stage in Valenciana is normally one for the sprinters, but not this year. Just 93km in length, but it contains the hardest climb of the whole race. Given the current GC position, several scenarios can play out during this stage, which should make for fascinating viewing. Weather Another cracking...

Burriana > Santa d’Altura 181.6km The Queen stage, but I can’t help feeling disappointed. Okay, there’s 3717m of elevation, but I would say there’s a lot of irrelevant climbing. The main climb, which goes through the finishing line, crests with over 60km to go, that’s far too far out for any action. The stage ends...

Old Town > Maraya 143.4km It’s the final stage, but the GC isn’t settled yet. We have a gravel section of around 7km, which will make Guerreiro a little bit on the nervous side, but this stage should still end in a sprint. Weather Another nice day to finish. Finale Slightly uphill, so it’s going...

Bétera > Sagunto 144.8km This is a very dangerous day for the GC riders. The big climb crests with 28km to go, what happens after is anyone’s guess, but anyone who doesn’t have teammates will be put under pressure. The same climbs were used back in the 2017 Vuelta, and Contador launched a series of...

Novelda > Alto de Pinos Benoisa 177.7km Time for a big day of climbing, 3567m to be exact. Not only do we have an uphill finish, but we also have Cumbre del Sol. This stage will start to shape the GC, but the race still has a long way to go. Weather Nice and sunny....

Maraya > Skyviewsd of Harrat Uwairid 163.4km It’s the big GC day in the Saudi Tour, and I love a wall climb! The climbers have survived the windy stages and can now test their legs and see who’s the strongest. Weather Sunny, 15 degrees, not windy. The Wall 2.7km at 11.6%, but the worst of...

Orihuela > Altea 188.5km If a team has brought a sprinter to this race, this is their only hope of taking a win, but will they hang on over the climbs? Weather Sunny, 11 degrees and not much wind. The Climbs First up is the Rates. The opening 7km averages 5.4%, and it’s a climb...

The bunch head to Valencia for some much-needed sunshine. With most teams spending long hours at team camps in the area, the roads are well known to the pro peloton. This year’s edition of the race is very difficult, there’s not much hope for those who don’t climb very well. The opening stage is the...

Al Manshiyah > Abu Rakah 159.4km It’s the same finishing town as last year’s 2nd stage but it’s not the same finish. On first look, it’s easier than the finish where Buitrago won just one year ago. Weather Sunny, but cooler than in previous days with temperatures struggling to get above 15 degrees. The wind will...

Winter Park > Shall 183.8km A sprint stage where everyone will be nervous about the wind. Weather Sunny and temperatures will be around 20 degrees. The wind will be around 25-35km/h and coming from the west. It’s going to be a cagey peloton. Echelons The more people talk about them happening, the less they actually...