1.SATURDAY 14 AUGUST BURGOS TO BURGOS | 7.1KM | INDIVIDUAL TIME TRIAL
The grandiose Gothic spires of Burgos Cathedral will provide a stunning backdrop for the opening time trial of the 2021 Vuelta, which celebrates 800 years since the beginning of its construction. Each rider will set off in turn from the cathedral, to embark upon a 7km technical route around the city, which is mostly flat save for one small hill near the start.
Inside the cathedral is the tomb of legendary medieval warlord El Cid, but this stage is unlikely to resemble any of the epic battles recounted from his life. Unlike the last time Burgos hosted a Vuelta time trial in 2015 when Tom Dumoulin trounced the field to swing the race for overall victory hugely in his favour, this time trial is a mere 7km long. The gaps between the GC favourites should therefore be only a matter of seconds.
2.SUNDAY 15 AUGUST CALERUEGA TO BURGOS | 166.7KM | FLAT
The only thing more inevitable than the presence of a rider from the local Burgos-BH wildcard team in the day’s break is that this stage will finish in a bunch sprint. From the start in Caleruega (birthplace of Saint Dominic, who founded the Dominican Order in the 13th century) to the finish in Burgos, the parcours is totally flat, and nothing should prevent the sprinters’ teams from controlling the race for a sprint finish.
Burgos is also home to a museum of human evolution, and although you won’t find a monument of Mark Cavendish in there, there are few more advanced forms of mankind’s athleticism than a sprinter in full flight. It’s not just the power they produce, but also the nous and quick-thinking to make such split-second decisions, and bravery to risk crashing. Nothing much may happen before it, but the adrenaline rush of the bunch sprint will be worth the wait.
Bu hikaye CYCLING WEEKLY dergisinin August 12, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye CYCLING WEEKLY dergisinin August 12, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
CLASSIC BIKE COLNAGO SUPER
A trailblazing bike immortalised by Merckx and Saronni
"Strava activities are the only way I know some of my friends are still alive"
...or that Bernard is doing his weekly shop
AN EXPERT'S TAKE ON... SADDLE SELECTION
Crucial advice to guide your next purchase
JUST A NUMB#R?
Approaching a landmark birthday, Charlie Graham-Dixon explores how ageing affects cycling performance and what can be done to stay ahead of the curve
RURAL PERIL
More UK cyclists are killed on rural lanes than on busy city streets. Rob Kemp investigates why and what can be done to keep us safe while riding in the countryside
A BLESSED RIDE THROUGH THE FOREST OF BOWLAND
Forgoing cloak, cassock and cross, Trevor Ward goes in search of the holy roads that helped make a Tour winner
Dame Sarah Storey claims road and 19th gold double
More success for Team GB's Paralympians in Paris, but Storey slams women's time trial course
Roglič matches Vuelta win record
Slovenian takes fourth Tour of Spain title after hunting down O'Connor's lead, writes Adam Becket
Williams crowned Tour of Britain champion
Welshman leads home resurgence at the stage race to crown an Israel-Premier Tech clean sweep, reports Tom Davidson in Felixstowe
CLASSIC BIKE CLAUD BUTLER OLYMPIC ROAD
Iconic British brand's Holdsworth-era road bike