Malaga is much more than beaches and sun. It is also the mountains and the spectacular inland landscapes that the whole world will be able to see on August 22 in the sixth stage of La Vuelta and in an unprecedented result in the history of the race: Yunquera. It is a third class port, about nine kilometers long and has an average slope of about 4%. The Spanish round will find a new corner this summer, this will be the result in the first week.
“It doesn’t have impossible ramps and that’s why I love it, because it’s a climb that offers a lot of options and choices. “It will be a difficult stage and, tactically, it will be difficult to interpret,” Luis Ángel Maté, a native of Euskaltel and of Marbella (near Yunquera), tells of a port he knows by heart because it is part of his training sessions. The day will start in Jerez de la Frontera and will have five climbsWhich includes the last mentioned, which is known as Alto de las Abejas. The race will reach the town of Alozana, already on broken terrain, it will enter the town, turn right at a crossroads and head to the start of the port.
in great shape
“The first part is pretty hard And arriving in a good position will be important because the descent from Puerto Martínez (Of earlier) is very technical. Once you reach Casarbonella there is a stretch of false ground with areas of steep slopes in which it will be essential to maintain your position. After a difficult part of the climb comes the Jorroux approach, which divides the port in two. After this area, there is a rest before the final ramp, even some descent, The experienced Mate explains. All this will take place in the heart of the Sierra de las Nieves National Park, where Spanish pine (the local pine of the region) prevails.
‘Poor performance’ since the triple at Visma and La Vuelta“Two days before it will be the first high finish in Villuercas and this stage will be a bit of a change before the hard mountain block that will end in Granada (three days later,.There will be a different path that will not be easy to make, because the Arcos de la Frontera has a difficult terrain, which will make the peloton go fast. It is a damaging area and the favourites for the general classification will have to struggle to keep a teammate ahead of them,” says El Lins.The day when high temperatures are expected.
“The heat will definitely be intense. Even though we are 600 metres above sea level and it is somewhat more favourable, it is a crucial day for the aid equipment in an area where it is very difficult to get supplies. When it is hot people forget to eat and calorie expenditure increases a lot because the body has to cool down. Here, in Yunquera, it will go up much faster, with a bigger plate,” explains a mate on the doorstep of his retirement.
in great shape
“I think this could be a stage with many battles: for the stage victory, for the red jersey and for not losing time among the favourites. I hope to lead the last meeting (From Euskatel) and then be able to support it on the road,” says the Andalusian. The finish line will be located at the exit of Yunquera, so the runners will cross the entire municipality,
“It won’t be a huge watt increase, but I can’t guarantee that whoever gets to Yunquera first will win. I have historically seen sprinters like Valverde, Roglic or Pogacar start … It is better not to celebrate until the finish line, ”says the“ host ”who teases his countrymen. “I always say that in cycling we have the best stadium in the world, which sets us apart from any other sport and I hope people will be encouraged to get to know it. “Let them come and fill our Maracana, our beautiful stadium that is on the streets of Malaga.” Word of Links.
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