Race Design Thread

[TromleTromle]

Vuelta against the clock I

8. 57,4 km Alicante (University)-Elda (ITT) - Hard Stage

NB: I've decided to change mountain categorization compared to stage profile /lazyness

Stage description: Here is a controversial one - I firmly believe that the TTs in a GC belongs to the first & second weekend of the race, since a last week TT leads to conservative racing - due to the design & length of the TT. The first timetrial start in northwestern Alicante, the first 13,5 km takes us 300 meters up in elevation to past the town of Moralet. That's an average of 2,2%. The the timetraiallists will tackle Puerto De Maigmo - 4,6% over 6,5 km is not a big deal but the middle km reaches a gradient of 8%. The next 17 km takes us north to town of Castella on flat plateau and then does a U-turn south onto the CV-817... ...my favourtie murito - the mighty Xorret del Cati with 11% in average over 4 km, one km with 15% in average and ramps of 20%, this will be a blast and good entertainment for the people on the mountain as well as those watching the race on tv on a saturday. The last 16,5 km is 4% descent to finish town of Elda. Big stuff will happen on this time trial - and all rider types can take this home

Elevation Gain/Loss in m: 1198/901
Sprints: None
Mountains/hills: 2 (0 categorized)

Puerto De Maigmo (south). 20,2 km NO. KAT 6,5 km - 4,6%
Xorret Del Cati (north). 100,5 km NO. KAT 4,0 km - 11,1%

Other considerations: None

0. stage 3,2 km Badajoz-Badajoz: (TTT) _
1. stage 144,5 km Badajoz-Caceres: Light _______________
2. stage 196,5 km Caceres-Plasencia: Medium _______________/\/\_,
3. stage 183,1 km Plasencia-Guadalupe: Medium _______________,-´\
4. stage 180,2 km Guadalupe-Ciudad Real: Light ___________________
5. stage 228,4 km Valdepenas DO-Linares: Medium ___n____n__n__n__n__n_n_,-
6. Stage 253,0 km Peal De Becerro-El Yelmo: Hard ____/\___/\______/\____/
7. stage 159,6 km Albacete-Murcia: Light ________________
8. stage 57,4 km Alicante (University)-Elda (ITT): Hard __/\_

 

[TromleTromle]

Vuelta against the clock I

9. 204,1 km Elche-Carroscoy - Hard Stage

NB: I've decided to change mountain categorization compared to stage profile /lazyness

Stage description: The riders will go southeast from Elche until they hit the coast which they will follow for 50 km before they turn towards the provincial capital of Murcia. West of Murcia (120 km mark) the roads will slowly increased in elevation to 500m when they after 145 km reach the town of Gabes. From here the they will climb the Alto Bermejo by a two-stepped ascent. First 6km with 5,7% - then a small 2 km descent - and then 9 km with 5,7% in average where the first and last km are almost flat... A technical 19km descent will take the riders to Alhama de Murcia before a 15 km flat lead-in to the MTF of today. At the 195 km the riders reaches the final climb of today - the monster of Carroscoy with 9,1 over 9,6 km's. A climb like Col Marie Blanque from it's eastern slide - just much much steeper with the first 3/4 of the climbs averaging between 9 and 14% with lots of ramps close to 20% - the final 1/4 is more manageable with a small downhill section as well as a final kick towards finish. And after this day this riders will take a deserved restday.

Elevation Gain/Loss in m: 2932/1968
Sprints: 103 km Algezares
Mountains/hills: 3 (2 categorized)

El Garruchal (south). 89,5 km NO. KAT 3,9 km - 2,6%
Alto Bermejo por Gabes (east - 2nd half only). 160,4 km 2. KAT 15,1 km - 4,6%
Carroscoy (north). 204,1 km 1. KAT 9,6 km - 9,1%

Other considerations: None

0. stage 3,2 km Badajoz-Badajoz: (TTT) _
1. stage 144,5 km Badajoz-Caceres: Light _______________
2. stage 196,5 km Caceres-Plasencia: Medium _______________/\/\_,
3. stage 183,1 km Plasencia-Guadalupe: Medium _______________,-´\
4. stage 180,2 km Guadalupe-Ciudad Real: Light ___________________
5. stage 228,4 km Valdepenas DO-Linares: Medium ___n____n__n__n__n__n_n_,-
6. Stage 253,0 km Peal De Becerro-El Yelmo: Hard ____/\___/\______/\____/
7. stage 159,6 km Albacete-Murcia: Light ________________
8. stage 57,4 km Alicante (University)-Elda (ITT): Hard ___n_
9. stage 204,1 km Elche-Carroscoy): Hard ____________/\_____/
RESTDAY

 

[TromleTromle]

Vuelta against the clock I

10. 180,5 km Benidorm-Valencia - Light Stage

NB: I've decided to change mountain categorization compared to stage profile /lazyness

Stage description: A soft start after the restday concludes the first half of the race. Except for in between km 25-50 we will be hugging the coast... ...and that means depending on the weather:
1/4 chances for helicopter pictures views of bikinis and a flat sprint
1/4 chances for flat sprint
1/4 chances for side wind
1/4 chances for bikinis and side wind
Under normal circumstances the sprinters are expected to take this home - but no Vuelta stage, without a built-in trap in the design on the way to the finish, Valencia is one of Spain's biggest cities and will relish the welcome the Vuelta.

Elevation Gain/Loss in m: 837/868
Sprints: 94 km Grau i Platja
Mountains/hills: 2 (1 categorized)

Unmarked climb (south) 32.0 km 3. KAT 5,4 km - 4,5%
Les Planes (south).51,8 km NO. KAT 2,1 km - 6,5%

Other considerations: This concludes the first half of the Vuelta which has been fought in very varying terrain. In the second half the difficulty level will be increased significantly for all types of stages.

0. stage 3,2 km Badajoz-Badajoz: (TTT) _
1. stage 144,5 km Badajoz-Caceres: Light _______________
2. stage 196,5 km Caceres-Plasencia: Medium _______________/\/\_,
3. stage 183,1 km Plasencia-Guadalupe: Medium _______________,-´\
4. stage 180,2 km Guadalupe-Ciudad Real: Light ___________________
5. stage 228,4 km Valdepenas DO-Linares: Medium ___n____n__n__n__n__n_n_,-
6. Stage 253,0 km Peal De Becerro-El Yelmo: Hard ____/\___/\______/\____/
7. stage 159,6 km Albacete-Murcia: Light ________________
8. stage 57,4 km Alicante (University)-Elda (ITT): Hard ___n_
9. stage 204,1 km Elche-Carroscoy): Hard ____________/\_____/
RESTDAY
10. stage 180,5 km Benidorm-Valencia - Light: __n______________

 

[TromleTromle]

Vuelta against the clock I

11. 163,6 km Castellon De La Plana-Mont Caro - Hard Stage

NB: I've decided to change mountain categorization compared to stage profile /lazyness

Stage description: Well the design of this stage is nothing new, pretty much the best you can get out of Mont Caro, a early southwestern face of De Las Palmas is used to induce a breakaway to get a head - and from there is it free racing until the town of Tortosa. Here one of the toughest ascents in Spain - Mont Caro - starts. While being mostly without murito gradients - the last 14 km is especially hard around 8-9-10% in average. A true Ventoux cousin, long, warm, steady & grinding.
As you have figured out I build my Vuelta around 7 small trinity's each composing of a light, medium & hard stage - with a few changes (stage 3 & 9 swapped & 11 & 12 swapped internally). This is my answer to the solution regarding having different terrain everyday and also keeping the favorites on their toes. This is also possible due to the Spanish terrain features which are more favorable than France in this regard.

Elevation Gain/Loss in m: 2313/915
Sprints: 110,4 km Sant Carles De La Rapita
Mountains/hills: 2 (2 categorized)

Desertios De Las Palmes (southwest).17,8 km 2. KAT 7,8 km - 4,6%
Mont Caro (east).163,6 km ESP. KAT 23,4 km - 6,1% (18,7 km - 7,1%)

Other considerations: There is an option to introduce 2-3 smaller lead-in limbs on mountains east of Tortosa - but like it's french counterpart - it's to be used every 4-5 years on a similar stage profil before the 2nd weekend.

0. stage 3,2 km Badajoz-Badajoz: (TTT) _
1. stage 144,5 km Badajoz-Caceres: Light _______________
2. stage 196,5 km Caceres-Plasencia: Medium _______________/\/\_,
3. stage 183,1 km Plasencia-Guadalupe: Medium _______________,-´\
4. stage 180,2 km Guadalupe-Ciudad Real: Light ___________________
5. stage 228,4 km Valdepenas DO-Linares: Medium ___n____n__n__n__n__n_n_,-
6. Stage 253,0 km Peal De Becerro-El Yelmo: Hard ____/\___/\______/\____/
7. stage 159,6 km Albacete-Murcia: Light ________________
8. stage 57,4 km Alicante (University)-Elda (ITT): Hard ___n_
9. stage 204,1 km Elche-Carroscoy): Hard ____________/\_____/
RESTDAY
10. stage 180,5 km Benidorm-Valencia - Light: __n______________
11. stage 163,6 km Castellon De La Plana-Mont Caro - Hard: __n___________/

 

[TromleTromle]

Vuelta against the clock I

12. 225,4 km Llerida - Zaragoza - Light Stage
NB: I've decided to change mountain categorization compared to stage profile /lazyness

Stage description: A long but relatively uncomplicated journey from Llerida to Zaragoza, while 2 unmarked and one marked hill underway. The hills and the long distance should encourage a long breakaway to stick together and fight for the victory, unless the sprinter teams wants this one, because it will be their second last chance before Madrid... but as the last hill finishes 30 km from the finish line - all sprinters should be able to make it the finish. The favorites will take a break before a very interesting stage tomorrow.

Elevation Gain/Loss in m: 2133/2087
Sprints: 110,1 km Escatron
Mountains/hills: 3 (2 categorized)

Unmarked climb (east).56,0 km 3. KAT 9,2 km - 2,9%
Unmarked climb (east).168,6 km NO KAT 11,7 km - 2,4%
La Plana (south).193,1 km 3. KAT 4,5 km - 4,2%

Other considerations: If a short transfer is needed - the start could be moved to other side of Ebro - as the 225 km is a long distance for a transport stage

0. stage 3,2 km Badajoz-Badajoz: (TTT) _
1. stage 144,5 km Badajoz-Caceres: Light _______________
2. stage 196,5 km Caceres-Plasencia: Medium _______________/\/\_,
3. stage 183,1 km Plasencia-Guadalupe: Medium _______________,-´\
4. stage 180,2 km Guadalupe-Ciudad Real: Light ___________________
5. stage 228,4 km Valdepenas DO-Linares: Medium ___n____n__n__n__n__n_n_,-
6. Stage 253,0 km Peal De Becerro-El Yelmo: Hard ____/\___/\______/\____/
7. stage 159,6 km Albacete-Murcia: Light ________________
8. stage 57,4 km Alicante (University)-Elda (ITT): Hard ___n_
9. stage 204,1 km Elche-Carroscoy): Hard ____________/\_____/
RESTDAY
10. stage 180,5 km Benidorm-Valencia - Light: __n______________
11. stage 163,6 km Castellon De La Plana-Mont Caro - Hard: __n___________/
12. stage 225,4 km Llerida - Zaragoza: Light - _____n_______n__n___

 

[TromleTromle]

Vuelta against the clock I

13. 152,4 km Logrono - Laguna Negra de Urbion - Medium Stage
NB: I've decided to change mountain categorization compared to stage profile /lazyness

Stage description: A overnight transfer from Zaragoza to Logrono will happen, before today's very intense medium mountain battle in the eastern most parts of Sistema Iberico. We are in the triangle of Burgos, Leon & Soria. The favorites needs to be awake here to avoid a Fuente De style raid and also ensure they are tuned for the GC stage tomorrow. The stage is short but intense.The stage goes as follow: The riders go straight south from Logrono and will continue south on a uncategorized rise. After 40 km the Resa climb need to be tackled, 10 km with 5,3% in average - but very irregular, varying between 2 to 7 %. A quick descent brings them to 10 km false flat plateau before the tackle the Cantohincado climb with 4% average over 11 km - with the latter part being the steepest. After a quick descent there is 25 km valley race before the Viniegras climb over 19 km, but with 3,8% in average. The first 14 are basically a rising false flat never steeper than 4%, but the last 5% has an average of 7% - a good place for an attack. Only 5 km descent takes the riders to the second highest point of the Vuelta - The Santa Ines pass which is a stable grinder with 5% in average all the way up (one km with 7 %). Another descent takes us to the bottom of the irregular finish HTF at Laguna Negra de Urbion (Lagunas Neila's hidden cousin). 5,6% in average - but the buld up is: 2km with 4%, 2 km with 9% with 12-16% ramps, 2 km with 4%, 0,5 km decent and a final kick of 9% for the last 1500 meters.

Elevation Gain/Loss in m: 3658/2334
Sprints: 64,2 km Pradillo
Mountains/hills: 6 (5 categorized)

Unmarked climb (north) 25,0 km NO. KAT 5,7 km - 3,6%
Portillo de la Rasa (east). 48,6 km 2. KAT 9,9 km - 5,3%
Puerto de Cantohincado (east). 77,0 km 3. KAT 11,2 km - 4,2%
Puerto de las Viniegras (west). 121,0 km 2. KAT 19,0 km - 3,8%
Puerto de Santa Inés (north). 137,0 km 2. KAT 11,8 km - 5,0%
Laguna Negra de Urbion. 152,4 km 2. KAT 7,8 km - 5,6%

Other considerations: The area is mostly known for in northwest the two climbs of Valdexcaray & Cruz De La Demanda, and the south western Lagunas De La Neila - but it also offers the steep finish up to Moncalvillo - but also the current unpaved track of Collade las tres cruces which is 8,1% over 12,4 km, but the last 2,4 % km is merely 3-4%, which means the rest is really steep! If paved it could link to Valdeezcaray, which could then be used as a descent towards Cruz De la Demanda and the use of the todays stage climbs as warm-ups.

0. stage 3,2 km Badajoz-Badajoz: (TTT) _
1. stage 144,5 km Badajoz-Caceres: Light _______________
2. stage 196,5 km Caceres-Plasencia: Medium _______________/\/\_,
3. stage 183,1 km Plasencia-Guadalupe: Medium _______________,-´\
4. stage 180,2 km Guadalupe-Ciudad Real: Light ___________________
5. stage 228,4 km Valdepenas DO-Linares: Medium ___n____n__n__n__n__n_n_,-
6. Stage 253,0 km Peal De Becerro-El Yelmo: Hard ____/\___/\______/\____/
7. stage 159,6 km Albacete-Murcia: Light ________________
8. stage 57,4 km Alicante (University)-Elda (ITT): Hard ___n_
9. stage 204,1 km Elche-Carroscoy): Hard ____________/\_____/
RESTDAY
10. stage 180,5 km Benidorm-Valencia - Light: __n______________
11. stage 163,6 km Castellon De La Plana-Mont Caro - Hard: __n___________/
12. stage 225,4 km Llerida - Zaragoza: Light - _____n_______n__n___
13. stage 152,4 km Logrono - Laguna Negra de Urbion: Medium - ___n__n__n_n_/

 

[TromleTromle]

Vuelta against the clock I

14. 55,9 km Quintanar De La Sierra - Coverrubias (ITT) - Hard Stage
NB: I've decided to change mountain categorization compared to stage profile /lazyness

Stage description: While the first ITT had both a mild grinder climb and a murito - the second ITT of the race is flat/downhill, but it keeps a massive length of 55,9 km! THe riders stays close to yesterdays finish area and will move towards Burgos with finish halfway to there. The first half is not a technical as the second half, and it's generally a course for the diesel engines in the peleton.

Elevation Gain/Loss in m: 311/522
Sprints: None
Mountains/hills: None

Other considerations: None

0. stage 3,2 km Badajoz-Badajoz: (TTT) _
1. stage 144,5 km Badajoz-Caceres: Light _______________
2. stage 196,5 km Caceres-Plasencia: Medium _______________/\/\_,
3. stage 183,1 km Plasencia-Guadalupe: Medium _______________,-´\
4. stage 180,2 km Guadalupe-Ciudad Real: Light ___________________
5. stage 228,4 km Valdepenas DO-Linares: Medium ___n____n__n__n__n__n_n_,-
6. Stage 253,0 km Peal De Becerro-El Yelmo: Hard ____/\___/\______/\____/
7. stage 159,6 km Albacete-Murcia: Light ________________
8. stage 57,4 km Alicante (University)-Elda (ITT): Hard ___n_
9. stage 204,1 km Elche-Carroscoy): Hard ____________/\_____/
RESTDAY
10. stage 180,5 km Benidorm-Valencia - Light: __n______________
11. stage 163,6 km Castellon De La Plana-Mont Caro - Hard: __n___________/
12. stage 225,4 km Llerida - Zaragoza: Light - _____n_______n__n___
13. stage 152,4 km Logrono - Laguna Negra de Urbion: Medium - ___n__n__n_n_/
14. stage 55,9 km Quintanar De La Sierra - Coverrubias (ITT): Hard ______

 

[May0maniac]

Next year the Giro del Trentino will become the Giro dell' Euregio, the race will take place in Trentino, South Tyrol, North Tyrol and East Tyrol and consist of 5 stages.
I decided to design a route for that race.
Giro dell' Euregio stage 1: Trento – Trento ITT; 17.1km

The race starts with a short ITT around Trento and starts and finishes right in front of the MUSE, the new scientific museum that was opened a few years ago. The gaps shouldn't be huge, but at least we should get some gaps and I think that such a mountainous stage race should at least have a short time trial, it will still be a race for the climbers, but at least we have a nice opening ITT.
It's a flat opening ITT without too many technical parts, so it should be all about raw power.
Trento:

The MUSE:

 

[TromleTromle]

Vuelta against the clock I

15. 236,3 km Briviesca-Reinosa - Medium Stage
NB: I've decided to change mountain categorization compared to stage profile /lazyness

Stage description: another hard long day in the saddle to wear the GC people day, this time in some classic vuelta terrain in the Cantabrian mountains. First a 70 km flat lead-in on the Castilian plateau towards the sprint of the day before the from the southern side insignificant Alto do los Tornos leads into Cantabria where a massive medium mountain stage is awaiting. 6 cols back-to-back. First up the serious Portillo de la Sía from east - 18 km, first half with gentle 3-5% slops before a 7% grinder rest of the way to the top. A quick descent takes us to the Lunada of 11,7 km, gentls first 3 km og false flat, before a steady 6% rest of the way. A steep descent longer than the previous one, brings riders to Caracol climb, which is the todays shortest, but is rather steep with 7,2% in average. Remember that there is no valley racing in the between, it is up-down-up-down so this will hurt - and while the 4 climb in a row - Braguia - is soft, the riders will start feeling the acid kicking in. Th second last climb of today is the softest one, with 4,5% over 14 km (following the CA-633) It is very irregular, steep, flat, descent etc. - but serves us the purposes of bringing us the steepest part of the Escudo climb - 7 km with 9 % is serious business after such a day! A short descent takes us to a high plateau for 25 km towards the finish in Reinosa - something the Vuelta has done before (i.e. 45, 82 and as a lead-in for the recent Alto Campo stage)

Elevation Gain/Loss in m: 4811/4826
Sprints: 72,4 km Bercedo
Mountains/hills: 7 (6 categorized)

Alto de los Tornos (south). 81,7 km NO. KAT 8,1 km - 2,2%
Portillo de la Sía (east). 115,7 km 1. KAT 17,9 km - 5,4%
Portillo de Lunada (east). 133,5 km 2. KAT 11,7 km - 4,2%
Alto de El Caracol (east). 150,0 km 2. KAT 5,0 km - 7,2%
Puerto de la Braguía (north). 169,5 km 2. KAT 8,7 km - 5,2%
Alto de El Carrascal (north). 194,0 km 2. KAT 14,1 km - 4,5%
Puerto del Escudo (north). 208,5 km 1. KAT 7,0 km - 9,0%)

Other considerations: As we are doing a hard - medium mountainous focus, I have opted for the Reinosa finish - but as a alternative in less mountainous Vuelta - you could put the finish 6 km after Escudo and make it more climber friendly.

0. stage 3,2 km Badajoz-Badajoz: (TTT) _
1. stage 144,5 km Badajoz-Caceres: Light _______________
2. stage 196,5 km Caceres-Plasencia: Medium _______________/\/\_,
3. stage 183,1 km Plasencia-Guadalupe: Medium _______________,-´\
4. stage 180,2 km Guadalupe-Ciudad Real: Light ___________________
5. stage 228,4 km Valdepenas DO-Linares: Medium ___n____n__n__n__n__n_n_,-
6. Stage 253,0 km Peal De Becerro-El Yelmo: Hard ____/\___/\______/\____/
7. stage 159,6 km Albacete-Murcia: Light ________________
8. stage 57,4 km Alicante (University)-Elda (ITT): Hard ___n_
9. stage 204,1 km Elche-Carroscoy): Hard ____________/\_____/
RESTDAY
10. stage 180,5 km Benidorm-Valencia - Light: __n______________
11. stage 163,6 km Castellon De La Plana-Mont Caro - Hard: __n___________/
12. stage 225,4 km Llerida - Zaragoza: Light - _____n_______n__n___
13. stage 152,4 km Logrono - Laguna Negra de Urbion: Medium - ___n__n__n_n_/
14. stage 55,9 km Quintanar De La Sierra - Coverrubias (ITT): Hard ______
15. stage 236,3 km Briviesca-Reinosa: Medium -----^\/\/\/\/\/\/`----
RESTDAY

 

[TromleTromle]

Vuelta against the clock I

16. 180,2 km Reinosa-Laredo - Medium Stage
NB: I've decided to change mountain categorization compared to stage profile /lazyness

Stage description: A slightly bumpy transport stage to Laredo with a flat finish after two minor final climbs. First the Fuente De Las Varas - which is most serious the final 7-8 km with average gradients around 5%, cresting with 35 km to finish, and then cresting 7 km before goal a 5 km hill with 4% average on the southern approach to Laredo

Elevation Gain/Loss in m: 2491/3346
Sprints: 126,7 km La Cavada
Mountains/hills: 6 (6 categorized)

Puerto de Palombera (south). 13,5 km 3. KAT 6,1 km - 5,4%
Alto de San Cipriano (west). 74,4 km 3. KAT 6,0 km - 2,8%
Alto de San Martin (west). 88,6 km 3. KAT 3,3 km - 7,2%
Unmarked climb (west). 100,8,6 km 3. KAT 4,4 km - 4,0%
Fuente de las Varas (west). 146,2 km 2. KAT 14,8 km - 2,7%
La Sena (south). 173,1 km 3. KAT 5,1 km - 4,1%

Other considerations: As this stage is about the final only - they could go straight north from Reinosa to cut out 40 km and reduce overall mileage

0. stage 3,2 km Badajoz-Badajoz: (TTT) _
1. stage 144,5 km Badajoz-Caceres: Light _______________
2. stage 196,5 km Caceres-Plasencia: Medium _______________/\/\_,
3. stage 183,1 km Plasencia-Guadalupe: Medium _______________,-´\
4. stage 180,2 km Guadalupe-Ciudad Real: Light ___________________
5. stage 228,4 km Valdepenas DO-Linares: Medium ___n____n__n__n__n__n_n_,-
6. Stage 253,0 km Peal De Becerro-El Yelmo: Hard ____/\___/\______/\____/
7. stage 159,6 km Albacete-Murcia: Light ________________
8. stage 57,4 km Alicante (University)-Elda (ITT): Hard ___n_
9. stage 204,1 km Elche-Carroscoy): Hard ____________/\_____/
RESTDAY
10. stage 180,5 km Benidorm-Valencia - Light: __n______________
11. stage 163,6 km Castellon De La Plana-Mont Caro - Hard: __n___________/
12. stage 225,4 km Llerida - Zaragoza: Light _____n_______n__n___
13. stage 152,4 km Logrono - Laguna Negra de Urbion: Medium - ___n__n__n_n_/
14. stage 55,9 km Quintanar De La Sierra - Coverrubias (ITT): Hard ______
15. stage 236,3 km Briviesca-Reinosa: Medium -----^\/\/\/\/\/\/`----
RESTDAY
16. stage 180,2 km Reinosa-Laredo: Medium /\__________n__n_

 

[TromleTromle]

Vuelta against the clock I

17. 193,7 km Santander-San Glorio (Portilla De La Reina) - Medium Stage

NB: I've decided to change mountain categorization compared to stage profile /lazyness

Stage description: Another day - more mountains - the charm of Spain, this time a new variation on medium stages so far in this vuelta. 115 km of slightly rolling terrain before two serious 2nd category climbs: Collado de Ozalba & Collado de Hoz - in total 13 km of ascent of 6-7%. Fromt he top of the second there is a short decent and around 20 kms of valley false flat to official start of the main challenge for today - Puerto San Glorio. A very solid category 1 climb - which unfortunately is difficult to link with proper climbs in back-to back stage, so here it will be used a descent finish with 10 km descent to the hamlet of Portilla De La Reina of not more than 4,0 in average of soft roads. The most interesting part is of course the San Glorio climb. A classic lopsided northern spanish climb, with the northern climb as the potent one. The first 10 km is a false flat with a max. km of 6% until the village of Bores. From here it increase in strength to between 5 and 8 the rest of the way up. It closely resembles Avoriaz/Risoul climbs, which a both slightly steeper, but quite a bit shorter.

Elevation Gain/Loss in m: 4126/2891
Sprints: 104,4 km Cades
Mountains/hills: 5 (5 categorized)

Alto de San Cipriano (east). 74,4 km 3. KAT 5,0 km - 4,4%
Alto Labarces (east). 98,7 km 3. KAT 6,9 km - 3,2%
Collado de Ozalba (east). 119,7 km 2. KAT 5,7 km - 7,1%
Collado de Hoz (east). 133,1 km 2. KAT 7,2 km - 6,1%
Puerto de San Glorio (east). 184,3 km 1. KAT 26,6 km - 4,9%

Other considerations: A stage start in Torrelavega could be considered sa to cut out 35-45 km and reduce overall mileage

0. stage 3,2 km Badajoz-Badajoz: (TTT) _
1. stage 144,5 km Badajoz-Caceres: Light _______________
2. stage 196,5 km Caceres-Plasencia: Medium _______________/\/\_,
3. stage 183,1 km Plasencia-Guadalupe: Medium _______________,-´\
4. stage 180,2 km Guadalupe-Ciudad Real: Light ___________________
5. stage 228,4 km Valdepenas DO-Linares: Medium ___n____n__n__n__n__n_n_,-
6. Stage 253,0 km Peal De Becerro-El Yelmo: Hard ____/\___/\______/\____/
7. stage 159,6 km Albacete-Murcia: Light ________________
8. stage 57,4 km Alicante (University)-Elda (ITT): Hard ___n_
9. stage 204,1 km Elche-Carroscoy): Hard ____________/\_____/
RESTDAY
10. stage 180,5 km Benidorm-Valencia - Light: __n______________
11. stage 163,6 km Castellon De La Plana-Mont Caro - Hard: __n___________/
12. stage 225,4 km Llerida - Zaragoza: Light _____n_______n__n___
13. stage 152,4 km Logrono - Laguna Negra de Urbion: Medium - ___n__n__n_n_/
14. stage 55,9 km Quintanar De La Sierra - Coverrubias (ITT): Hard ______
15. stage 236,3 km Briviesca-Reinosa: Medium -----^\/\/\/\/\/\/`----
RESTDAY
16. stage 180,2 km Reinosa-Laredo: Medium /\__________n__n_
17. stage 193,7 km Santander-San Glorio (Portilla De La Reina): Medium ___________n__n__/\

 

[TromleTromle]

Vuelta against the clock I

18. 160,1 km Riano-Leon - Light Stage

NB: I've decided to change mountain categorization compared to stage profile /lazyness

Stage description: Calm before the final weekend storm - a descending journey to town of Leon - one 3rd category climb on the way and some insignificanty hills - before the final slightly uphill drag to the finish line - Sprinters delight (of what's left)

Elevation Gain/Loss in m: 1445/1710
Sprints: 107,1 km Almanza
Mountains/hills: 1 (1 categorized)

Sotillos (east). 38,2 km 3. KAT 6,6 km - 3,6%

Other considerations: None

0. stage 3,2 km Badajoz-Badajoz: (TTT) _
1. stage 144,5 km Badajoz-Caceres: Light _______________
2. stage 196,5 km Caceres-Plasencia: Medium _______________/\/\_,
3. stage 183,1 km Plasencia-Guadalupe: Medium _______________,-´\
4. stage 180,2 km Guadalupe-Ciudad Real: Light ___________________
5. stage 228,4 km Valdepenas DO-Linares: Medium ___n____n__n__n__n__n_n_,-
6. Stage 253,0 km Peal De Becerro-El Yelmo: Hard ____/\___/\______/\____/
7. stage 159,6 km Albacete-Murcia: Light ________________
8. stage 57,4 km Alicante (University)-Elda (ITT): Hard ___n_
9. stage 204,1 km Elche-Carroscoy): Hard ____________/\_____/
RESTDAY
10. stage 180,5 km Benidorm-Valencia - Light: __n______________
11. stage 163,6 km Castellon De La Plana-Mont Caro - Hard: __n___________/
12. stage 225,4 km Llerida - Zaragoza: Light _____n_______n__n___
13. stage 152,4 km Logrono - Laguna Negra de Urbion: Medium - ___n__n__n_n_/
14. stage 55,9 km Quintanar De La Sierra - Coverrubias (ITT): Hard ______
15. stage 236,3 km Briviesca-Reinosa: Medium -----^\/\/\/\/\/\/`----
RESTDAY
16. stage 180,2 km Reinosa-Laredo: Medium /\__________n__n_
17. stage 193,7 km Santander-San Glorio (Portilla De La Reina): Medium ___________n__n__/\
18. stage 160,1 km Riano- Leon: Light ___n____________

 

[Red Rick]

Me gusta

 

[TromleTromle]

Vuelta against the clock I

19. 198,7 km Leon-La Farrapona - Hard Stage

NB: I've decided to change mountain categorization compared to stage profile /lazyness

Stage description: This combination has been discussed in the thread before... ...120 km warm-up on the Leonese plateau before taking on the impotent side of Puerto de Somiedo - from the descent the final weekend party starts - the brute known as San Lorenzo west - very irregular and lots of wild ramps, with a steep steep steep descent towards Puerto De Ventana, with steady 13 km at 7% towards the finish on the Farrapona pass from the non-paved side (!). 8 km of descent leads to 2km of false flat, 2 km of 6% and the finally 2km of 11,5 % all on "sterrato"

Elevation Gain/Loss in m: 4286/3411
Sprints: 96,1 km Sena De Luna
Mountains/hills: 7 (7 categorized)

Venta de la Tuerta (south). 23,5 km 3. KAT 14,3 km - 2,1%
Collada de Villar del Puerto (east). 53,5 km 3. KAT 8,2 km - 3,1%
Puerto De Aralla (east). 77,5 km 2. KAT 6,0 km - 6,7%
Puerto De Somiedo (south). 127,5 km 3. KAT 10,5 km - 2,1%
Puerto De San Lorenzo (west). 156,1 km 1. KAT 10,0 km - 8,5%
Puerto De Ventana (north). 186,2 km 1. KAT 19,8 km - 5,7%
Alto De Farrapona (east). 198,7 km 2. KAT 5,0 km - 7,5%

Other considerations: Pave Trobanillo for the descent..........

0. stage 3,2 km Badajoz-Badajoz: (TTT) _
1. stage 144,5 km Badajoz-Caceres: Light _______________
2. stage 196,5 km Caceres-Plasencia: Medium _______________/\/\_,
3. stage 183,1 km Plasencia-Guadalupe: Medium _______________,-´\
4. stage 180,2 km Guadalupe-Ciudad Real: Light ___________________
5. stage 228,4 km Valdepenas DO-Linares: Medium ___n____n__n__n__n__n_n_,-
6. Stage 253,0 km Peal De Becerro-El Yelmo: Hard ____/\___/\______/\____/
7. stage 159,6 km Albacete-Murcia: Light ________________
8. stage 57,4 km Alicante (University)-Elda (ITT): Hard ___n_
9. stage 204,1 km Elche-Carroscoy): Hard ____________/\_____/
RESTDAY
10. stage 180,5 km Benidorm-Valencia - Light: __n______________
11. stage 163,6 km Castellon De La Plana-Mont Caro - Hard: __n___________/
12. stage 225,4 km Llerida - Zaragoza: Light _____n_______n__n___
13. stage 152,4 km Logrono - Laguna Negra de Urbion: Medium - ___n__n__n_n_/
14. stage 55,9 km Quintanar De La Sierra - Coverrubias (ITT): Hard ______
15. stage 236,3 km Briviesca-Reinosa: Medium -----^\/\/\/\/\/\/`----
RESTDAY
16. stage 180,2 km Reinosa-Laredo: Medium /\__________n__n_
17. stage 193,7 km Santander-San Glorio (Portilla De La Reina): Medium ___________n__n__/\
18. stage 160,1 km Riano- Leon: Light ___n____________
19. stage 198,7 km Leon-La Farrapona: Hard --------------´\/\/`´

 

[barmaher]

I love those three climbs to finish a stage. You are almost guaranteed GC action half way up the penultimate climb.

 

[TromleTromle]

Re:

I love those three climbs to finish a stage. You are almost guaranteed GC action half way up the penultimate climb.

Yeah - San Lorenzo (from both sides) is a monster - It should be a "mortirolo" stype jump-offpoint, but only Ventana is a viable back-to-back climb which further connections.... unless you want give them a 6 km murito and finish on the plateau in front of Marabio pass. So think the three is as good as it gets

 

[TromleTromle]

Vuelta against the clock I

20. 159,3 km Oviedo-Angliru - Hard Stage

NB: I've decided to change mountain categorization compared to stage profile /lazyness

Stage description: Ok admitted - This is the easy solution - Angliru as the penultimate stage finish. But remember we only had Mont Caro, Carroscoy, Farrapona & El Yelmo as MTF's so far.... ...And I will do a second vuelta excluding the regions visited in this one so no Asturian mountains for the future - that's why we will end at the Angliru, last chance for wrecking havoc on the podium.

Angliru - the beast itself does not need further introduction - but how to use it?
99% of the times we will not see any action before the final 7 km - so how can we use it with out wasting climbs in the lead-in (i.e. San Lorenzo used in the previous stage)

Let's review the options:
A. Angliru as a Ventoux-style single climb stage....
pro: Will not change anything in the racing, cons: the best riders will come too fresh & it's too dull a stage design
B) One climb before - Cordal (or Collado de Puerco) - will tire the riders more than option A - but not good enough for a hard stage
C) Two climbs before - Cobertoria+Cordal - Pretty ok, you can even do San Lorenzo+Puerco (with a bit of flat in between), will be tough but will not create any inspired racing. Alternatively you can do an approach from the east with wither Colladiella or La Mozqueta with either Cordal or Puerco as the penultimate climb.
D) Three climbs before - San Lorenzo (or Manubio), Cobertoria & Cordal - nothing new here
E) Four climbs before - San Lorenzo, Ventana (Trobaniello down), Cobertoria, Cordal - but there is a little dusty problem there.... and alternatives before San Lorenzo are either too far away or impotent (Somiedo south or Farrapona east)
F) Loop or Cross:
F1) The western loop of death - Climb San Lorenzo west, Ventana, Farrapona east, then back to San Lorenzo, Cobertoria (Cordal) & home
F2 The eastern loop of death - Climb San Lorenzo west, Cobertoria, Cordal, ½Angliru, Tenebredo; Cobertoria (Cordal) and home
F3) The butterfly: Cobertoria East, Trobaniello, San Lorenzo east, Farrapona west, Cobertoria west, (Cordal) and home /
F4) Cross: Manubio, Ventana, Farrapona east, San Lorenzo west, Cobertoria (Cordal), Angliru

...and finally option G) the stage of today: Doing 9 hills in the are east of Oviedo as well as the Colladiella while working our way towards Pola de Lena, on all possible kinds of back-roads. Notice we start the Cobertoria climb at 127 km mark. The sum of all previous climbs are 52 km and 2904 heightmeters - equaling 5,6% in average gradient. That's not taking into account that most of them are is heavily irregular, so it will be non-rytmic up & down all-day.

Is it tough, yes. It is better than San Lorenzo, etc, slightly no. Would the chance for havoc in the racing increase, slightly yes. It is worth a try, yes. And foremost - WE AVOID A 2015 3xGLANDON scenario. As Angliru is all down to the last 7 km - we might opt for that x# hills + Cordal + Angliru is the best option for such a stage and enabling further stages in the area at the same time without recycling key climbs

Elevation Gain/Loss in m: 5165/3840
Sprints: 75,5 km Barredos
Mountains/hills: 12 (12 categorized) - as we have a limit of 25 url's pr. post... we will skip some...

La Manzaneda (north). 5,2 km 3. KAT 4,6 km - 2,9%
El Padrun (north). 14,0 km 3. KAT 3,6 km - 6,5%
Alto De Santo Emiliano (west). 26,0 km 3. KAT 7,1 km - 4,4%
La Figar (west). 38,9 km 3. KAT 4,5 km - 6,0%
La Camperona (south). 52,5 km 3. KAT 5,6 km - 5,0%
Alto de la Faya de los Lobos (north). 64,6 km 3. KAT 7,3 km - 4,3%
Alto de la Colladiella (north). 84,9 km 2. KAT 9,0 km - 6,6%
Pevidal (east). 97,5 km 3. KAT 3,1 km - 9,7%
Paxio (north). 112,0 km 3. KAT 4,8 km - 5,3%
Carabanzo (north). 120,7 km 3. KAT 2,4 km - 8,8%
Collado de Puerco (Cobertoria) (east). 135,2 km 1. KAT 7,5 km - 9,8%
Angliru (south). 159,3 km ESP. KAT 12,9 km - 9,6%

Other considerations: Will do a a back-to-back climb analysis on northern spanish climbs separately

0. stage 3,2 km Badajoz-Badajoz: (TTT) _
1. stage 144,5 km Badajoz-Caceres: Light _______________
2. stage 196,5 km Caceres-Plasencia: Medium _______________/\/\_,
3. stage 183,1 km Plasencia-Guadalupe: Medium _______________,-´\
4. stage 180,2 km Guadalupe-Ciudad Real: Light ___________________
5. stage 228,4 km Valdepenas DO-Linares: Medium ___n____n__n__n__n__n_n_,-
6. Stage 253,0 km Peal De Becerro-El Yelmo: Hard ____/\___/\______/\____/
7. stage 159,6 km Albacete-Murcia: Light ________________
8. stage 57,4 km Alicante (University)-Elda (ITT): Hard ___n_
9. stage 204,1 km Elche-Carroscoy): Hard ____________/\_____/
RESTDAY
10. stage 180,5 km Benidorm-Valencia - Light: __n______________
11. stage 163,6 km Castellon De La Plana-Mont Caro - Hard: __n___________/
12. stage 225,4 km Llerida - Zaragoza: Light _____n_______n__n___
13. stage 152,4 km Logrono - Laguna Negra de Urbion: Medium - ___n__n__n_n_/
14. stage 55,9 km Quintanar De La Sierra - Coverrubias (ITT): Hard ______
15. stage 236,3 km Briviesca-Reinosa: Medium -----^\/\/\/\/\/\/`----
RESTDAY
16. stage 180,2 km Reinosa-Laredo: Medium /\__________n__n_
17. stage 193,7 km Santander-San Glorio (Portilla De La Reina): Medium ___________n__n__/\
18. stage 160,1 km Riano- Leon: Light ___n____________
19. stage 198,7 km Leon-La Farrapona: Hard --------------´\/\/`´
20. stage 159,3 km Oviedo-Angliru: Hard _n_n_n_n_n_n/\/

 

[TromleTromle]

Vuelta against the clock I

21. 80 km Somewhere close to Madrid-Madrid - Light Stage

Profile: _________________
Stage description: Sprinter's delight

Elevation Gain/Loss in m: very low/very low
Sprints: 2nd passage of finish line
Mountains/hills: None

Other considerations: None

Total race
3596,1 km - 67 more than the 2016 Tour De France

0. stage 3,2 km Badajoz-Badajoz: (TTT) _
1. stage 144,5 km Badajoz-Caceres: Light _______________
2. stage 196,5 km Caceres-Plasencia: Medium _______________/\/\_,
3. stage 183,1 km Plasencia-Guadalupe: Medium _______________,-´\
4. stage 180,2 km Guadalupe-Ciudad Real: Light ___________________
5. stage 228,4 km Valdepenas DO-Linares: Medium ___n____n__n__n__n__n_n_,-
6. Stage 253,0 km Peal De Becerro-El Yelmo: Hard ____/\___/\______/\____/
7. stage 159,6 km Albacete-Murcia: Light ________________
8. stage 57,4 km Alicante (University)-Elda (ITT): Hard ___n_
9. stage 204,1 km Elche-Carroscoy): Hard ____________/\_____/
RESTDAY
10. stage 180,5 km Benidorm-Valencia - Light: __n______________
11. stage 163,6 km Castellon De La Plana-Mont Caro - Hard: __n___________/
12. stage 225,4 km Llerida - Zaragoza: Light _____n_______n__n___
13. stage 152,4 km Logrono - Laguna Negra de Urbion: Medium - ___n__n__n_n_/
14. stage 55,9 km Quintanar De La Sierra - Coverrubias (ITT): Hard ______
15. stage 236,3 km Briviesca-Reinosa: Medium -----^\/\/\/\/\/\/`----
RESTDAY
16. stage 180,2 km Reinosa-Laredo: Medium /\__________n__n_
17. stage 193,7 km Santander-San Glorio (Portilla De La Reina): Medium ___________n__n__/\
18. stage 160,1 km Riano- Leon: Light ___n____________
19. stage 198,7 km Leon-La Farrapona: Hard --------------´\/\/`´
20. stage 159,3 km Oviedo-Angliru: Hard _n_n_n_n_n_n/\/
21. stage 80 km Somewhere close to Madrid-Madrid: Light ________

 

[barmaher]

I enjoyed that, thanks.

 

[Red Rick]

If you're gonna create a stage like that I think I much prefer a Pola de Lena finish over an Angliru finish.

 

[TromleTromle]

Re:

If you're gonna create a stage like that I think I much prefer a Pola de Lena finish over an Angliru finish.

Actually my original intention was Mortirola/Aprica finish - but as Cobertoria east was my Mortirolo, I had problems finding my Aprica ....

The other reason for not having a descent finish is due we had Guadalupe, San Glorio, Escudo stages in that category.

I guess Angliru is love/hate climb - love because of its profile, hate due to race impact and stage design.

 

[Red Rick]

I think Angliru works way better as penultimate mountain stage with just Cordal before it. Everything is happening on the last 7km, no matter how fresh everyone is. Day after you can create a rollercoaster stage throughout the region, whilst Angliru is still in the legs from the day before

 

[TromleTromle]

Agreed - nothing worse as two MTF's in a row...

 

[Brullnux]

Long break from my Tour of Britain, so here is a recap:

Stage 1: Plymouth - Exeter 134km - Flat
Stage 2: Taunton - Bath 244km - Hilly

Tour of Britain Stage 3: Gloucester - Merthyr Tydfil 200km

I want to post two stages today in not much time so it is the time for very short write ups. The start of the stage is very flat, and the first hills start deep into Wales. A short uncategorised kick up precedes a very difficult climb to 'Owl's Nest', a nature park. The climb has a very difficult middle kilometre at over 10%, which should be the launchpad of some attacks. Oh, and all the stage following Cricknowell is held on very, very narrow roads, typical of the UK. This could cause problems for positing and cause the peloton to be very strung out. The finish may or may not be either a reduced bunch sprint or a group of late attackers holding off the group. The finish is in the industrial, now unfortunately 'left-behind', town of Merthyr Tydfil, which is in need of some re-invigoration to return to its heyday (this is based on the last time I went 3 years ago, it may have improved a lot since then).

 

[Brullnux]

Tour of Britain Stage 4: Llandrindod Wells - Llandudno

The Tour continues in the welsh valleys - the land of unpronounceable names. Today once again starts of pretty easy, and the n slowly progresses towards the Snowdonia national park. As the mountains of the park loom closer and closer, the riders will pass towns such as Mallwyd, or 'who needs vowels'.

The riders pass just under the stunning park to the town of Betws-y-Coed, where the fun starts. A long gradual climb of 5km at 5.3% , which for the UK is pretty long, and then a 3km murito, effectively. £km at 9%, and irregular on narrow roads. The attacks should start there, before the final rise and a fall to Llandudno. The final climb is quite hard too, about 1.5km at 7%. The final should be pretty windy too, knowing Wales in September. Or any time of the year.