Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana starts in Alicante without Ayuso
JA Galvan
Regional tour on Wednesday, January 31 features 166 kilometers between Benicàssim and Castellón, set in the mountains. The route appears straightforward at first, with a second-category climb near the finish that should spark the finale’s excitement.
First stage posterity marks the opening of the race with the VCV branding. The event is staged in the Valencian Community, highlighting its coastal and inland scenery as a stage for a week of racing drama.
The second stage will touch Canals and Valldigna Communities, covering 164 kilometers with three rated climbs. If not for the final ascent, the day could have favored a sprint, but the final climb at Pla de Corrals, a third-category climb just ten kilometers from the line, reshapes the outcome.
On Friday, February 2, the peloton returns to the Alicante province for the third stage, well suited for a sprint finish. A mountain pass, Alto de Albatera, tempts riders to attempt an escape, though the wind could complicate the ending. Expect tense moments in the final kilometers as sprinters’ teams aim for a big group arrival.
The Queen stage unfolds on Saturday, February 3, featuring a climb count that tests riders with five mountain passes and a substantial ascent at Miserat. The climb to Miserat marks a historic introduction in pro cycling, with nearly 15 kilometers of continuous grade and a brutal 10.5% average, peaking at 20%. The finish ascends to Vall d’Ebo with only a pair of short descents along the way, creating a dramatic, trap-filled finale.
The fifth and final stage will begin on Sunday, February 4, concluding in Bétera and the Port of Valencia. The short 93-kilometer route still has the potential to reshuffle the general classification, much like the 2023 edition. The Port of La Frontera will be decisive once again, featuring a five-kilometer ascent with an 18% grade that promises a dramatic finish to the race.
A video shown at the presentation highlighted Rui Costa’s remarkable victory in 2023 and offered a quick retrospective of the event’s history, including legendary winners such as Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Alejandro Valverde, and Tadej Pogacar among others.
Representatives from public institutions and sponsors attended the event, including the Second Vice President of Castellón and the Provincial Tourism Deputy, Andrés Martinez; the Alicante Provincial Sports Representative, Bernabé Cano; Valencia Tourism and Sports Deputy Provincial Representative, Pedro Cuesta; Banco Sabadell’s Deputy General Manager and Eastern Regional Director, Fernando Canos; the Generalitat Valenciana Sports General Director, Luis Cervera; the Minister of Tourism, Christina Moreno; and the Government’s sub-delegate in Valencia, Raquel Ibáñez.
The race’s general director spoke about the impact of the event, noting that a week showcases the best of the Valencian Community to the world, across more than 200 countries. He recalled the race’s history and the hospitality of Valencian fans, while announcing the return of several Continental teams to emphasize the region’s cycling heritage.
VCV Féminas and Mediterranean Cycling were also announced alongside the men’s race. The women’s route will follow the same sequence as the fifth stage, starting in Bétera and finishing at the Port of Valencia via two mountain passes, L’Oronet and La Frontera, adding a different dynamic to the event while maintaining a high-speed sprint possibility for the placings.
Overall, the 75th Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana continues to celebrate top-level cycling across diverse terrains, from coastal flats to steep climbs, in a showcase that blends sport with regional culture and hospitality. [citation attribution]