El Miserat and the finish line at the Port of Valencia, the main new features of the 75VCV route
Two mid-mountain stages, one with a sprint finish and the ‘Queen Stage’ with an unprecedented finish in Vall d’Ebo make up the route of the 75th edition of the race, which will be held between 31 January and 4 February 2024, starting from Benicàssim.
Valencia. December 14th, 2023. The VCV – Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana Gran Premi Banc Sabadell has celebrated this Thursday the official presentation of its 75th edition. In an event held at the Veles e Vents Building in Valencia, the organisers of the event, led by Valencian cyclist Ángel Casero, unveiled the route of each of its five stages. A route in which new features include the Alto del Miserat, the highlight of the queen stage on February 3rd, as well as the unprecedent arrival of the fifth and final stage at the Port of Valencia.
These are the five stages presented this Thursday by the organisers of the VCV:
STAGE 1 / Wednesday, January 31st, 2024
BENICÀSSIM – CASTELLÒ – 166 km – Mid Mountain
First stage of the 75VCV starting in the province of Castellón. A total of 166 kilometres with 3 mountain climbs in an a priori comfortable route, but without forgetting the Desierto de las Palmas. A second category pass only 16 kilometres from the finish line that will give excitement to the final stretch. After the ‘Desierto’ we will know if there will be a mass sprint or if it will be a reduced group who will fight for the first yellow jersey at the finish line in Castellón.
STAGE 2 / Thursday, February 1st, 2024
CANALS – MANCOMUNITAT DE LA VALLDIGNA – 164 km – Mid Mountain
The second stage, now in the province of Valencia, between Canals and the Mancomunitat de la Valldigna. A mid-mountain stage of 164 kilometres, with three mountain climbs. It could be a perfect stage for a sprint finish if it were not for the third category pass of Pla de Corrals, 10 kilometres from the finish line. Will the sprinters be able to overcome this climb and compete in the sprint or will there be attacks by important riders for the general classification? A very fast and exciting finish with a technical descent to reach the finish line in Simat de la Valldigna.
STAGE 3 / Friday, February 2nd, 2024
SAN VICENT DEL RASPEIG – ORIHUELA – 161 km – Sprint
We enter the province of Alicante in a third stage that is ideal for a sprint finish. A mountain climb, although far from the finish line, will encourage the riders to look for the breakaway. There will be nerves in the final part with the wind from the side, but everything indicates that the sprinters’ teams will control the race for a mass finish of the peloton.
STAGE 4 / Saturday, February 3rd, 2024
TEULADA/MORAIRA – LA VALL D’EBO – 175 km – Mountain
The queen stage of the 75VCV, with 3,645 metres of positive vertical drop; the most eagerly awaited. A demanding route full of traps. Five mountain passes, with the novelty of the Alto del Miserat, a first in professional races. A climb of just over 5 kilometres with an average gradient of 10.5% and a maximum of 20%. It is crowned 15 kilometres from the finish with hardly any descent. We expect a spectacular outcome in a difficult terrain until reaching Vall D’Ebo and the final two-kilometre climb.
STAGE 5 / Sunday, February 4th, 2024
BÉTERA – VALÈNCIA – 93 km – Mid Mountain
Fifth and final stage starting in Bétera and an unprecedented finish at the Port of Valencia. A short route of 93 kilometres, but which could still change everything in terms of the general classification, as happened in the 2023 edition. The Puerto de la Frontera will once again be decisive. A 5 kilometre climb with a gradient of 18%. There is sure to be a battle and excitement all the way to the finish line.