The CERATIZIT Challenge by La Vuelta 21 will have four stages and will take place entirely within Galicia
July 13 th 2021 - 12:30 [GMT + 2]
The CERATIZIT Challenge by La Vuelta 21 will take off from the Province of Ourense on the 2nd of September and will cover the region of Galicia for the first time ever in its history. The race, one of the most important in the women’s WorldTour calendar, continues to make its mark and will be adding a new stage to its route this year, bringing the total competition days to four.
The route was officially presented today at the Cabeza de Manzaneda Ski Resort, which will feature heavily in the race. This Galician site will host three of the race’s departures and one finish-line.
In total, these will be four very different stages, among them two very demanding mid-mountain stages, one 7.3 km mountain time trial and a final flat stage with an expected sprint to the finish-line in the Galician capital, Santiago de Compostela. This final stage will take place on the 5th of September, coinciding with the finale of La Vuelta 21 in the Plaza del Obradoiro.
The world’s best female riders will come together in the most important Spanish race in the women’s cycling calendar. Many of the favourites will do so to attempt to debunk German rider Lisa Brennauer, from the Ceratizit-WNT Pro Cycling team, and current winner of the race’s last two editions.
A VERY DEMANDING ROUTE
The CERATIZIT Challenge by La Vuelta 21 will begin with a stage departing from the Cabeza de Manzaneda Ski Resort and finishing at the locality of A Rúa. An entire day within the Province of Ourense, whose route exceeds 118 km and involves overcoming Alto de Portela, a 1st category climb.
Cabeza de Manzaneda will consolidate its starring role by hosting the entire second day of the competition. The ski resort will be the location chosen for the race’s very first mountain time trial - A climb totalling 7.3 km, with an accumulated slope of 424 m.
The race will bid farewell to its third stage in the Ourense resort and head towards Pereiro de Aguiar. Almost 108 km of leg-breaking territory, featuring two climbs, of 3rd and 2nd categories, respectively. This is a classic Galician stage that will not give the peloton a moment of respite.
Lastly, as has become tradition over the years, the race will conclude with a sprint to the finish-line that, for the first time, will not take place within the main streets of central Madrid, but will instead leave As Pontes and end in Santiago de Compostela. The historic Plaza del Obradoiro will experience first-hand the final day of competing and will crown the two winners of La Roja. First, the winner of the 7th edition of the CERATIZIT Challenge by La Vuelta 21 and, a few hours later, the winner of the 76th edition of La Vuelta, who will also be crowned on the 5th of September, following a final battle against the clock that promises to be thrilling right up to the last second.
STAGE 1. ESTACIÓN INVERNAL CABEZA DE MANZANEDA > A RÚA
STAGE 2. CRONOESCALADA ESTACIÓN INVERNAL CABEZA DE MANZANEDA
STAGE 3. ESTACIÓN INVERNAL CABEZA DE MANZANEDA > PEREIRO DE AGUIAR
STAGE 4. AS PONTES > SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
