Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta Ciclista Del Sol 2017

2017 Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta Ciclistica del Sol race overview

Final General Classification

Preview

The 2017 Vuelta a Andalucia – Ruta Ciclistica del Sol, which takes place from February 15-20, features a high-quality field that will be headlined by Spanish riders Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo), Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) and Mikel Landa (Sky). At the beginning of the decade, as the Tour of Qatar and then the Tour of Oman established themselves on the calendar, the Ruta del Sol’s status seemed to be under threat, but in recent seasons, the race has attracted a host of star names and provided dramatic action, the trend seems set to continue in 2017.

Valverde won the Vuelta a Andalucia in 2016, his fourth victory in the past five years, but he will face stiff competition this time around from Contador, who is making his debut for Trek-Segafredo. Contador placed second overall two years ago following a gripping tussle with Chris Froome (Sky), who eschews the race again this year in order to train in South Africa.

In the absence of the Tour de France winner, Mikel Landa leads Team Sky, as he builds towards the Giro d’Italia. Landa is expected to have new arrival Diego Rosa and 2016 Liege-Bastogne-Liege winner Wout Poels for company in the line-up. Thibaut Pinot (FDJ), another man aiming for the Giro, is also among the climbers in action, along with Rigoberto Uran and Joe Dombrowski (Cannondale-Drapac), and Warren Barguil (Team Sunweb).

The race begins with a stage to Granada, before a tough summit finish on stage 2 to Alto Peña del Aguila, above Jaen. Stage 3 is a short but potentially pivotal time trial to the striking city of Cordoba. After a rugged start, the fast men should have an opportunity in Seville on the penultimate day, while the final stage Coin could provide surprises.