Preview: Ronde van Drenthe
Starting on April 28 in Valencia, La Vuelta Femenina 24 by Carrefour.es promises an exhilarating journey that will conclude on May 5 at Valdesquí.
Valencia once again shines as the Grand Departure city, embracing its role with enthusiasm and reaffirming its commitment to the growth and consolidation of La Vuelta Femenina. This edition not only celebrates the Mediterranean’s charm at the beginning of the race but also honors the centenary celebration of the Distrito Telefónica, incorporating it into the narrative of this grand cycling tour.
Valencia’s Palacio de las Comunicaciones was full with anticipation this Friday, as it hosted the eagerly awaited unveiling of La Vuelta Femenina 24 by Carrefour.es. This Spanish tour is expanding its horizons in 2024, introducing an additional stage to offer an eight-stage adventure that spans eight provinces across five distinct autonomous communities.
Cyclists can look forward to a variety of challenges including a team time trial, a flat stage, two undulating stages, a mid-mountain stage, and three mountain stages, testing their versatility and endurance across the tour’s diverse terrains.
Unipublic, the organizing body behind La Vuelta Femenina, chose the iconic Palacio de las Comunicaciones de Valencia for the presentation. Valencia, a city with a rich history of hosting La Vuelta Grand Departures in 1996 and 2002, is set to kick off the race with a team time trial. The course will weave through the futuristic landscapes of the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias and the Oceanogràfic, setting the stage for an epic opening.
The race’s route is designed to showcase the scenic beauty and challenging terrains of Spain. From Buñol to Moncófar, the second stage will take cyclists through the heart of Valencia into Castellón. The journey continues with a mid-mountain stage from Castellón to Teruel, followed by a venture into the Province of Guadalajara, marking its debut in the race, and a flat stage ending in Zaragoza.
The introduction of the Pyrenees in the women’s race heralds the first mountain stage, challenging riders with the Alto del Monasterio de San Juan de la Peña and a final ascent to Rapitán Fort in Jaca. The subsequent stages feature a high-altitude finale from Tarazona to La Laguna Negra in Vinuesa, a return to Guadalajara concluding in Sigüenza, and a grand finale in the Autonomous Community of Madrid, featuring a climb of the Morcuera Mountain Pass and a concluding ascent to Valdesquí.
As La Vuelta Femenina 24 by Carrefour.es gears up for its 2024 edition, the excitement is palpable, promising a spectacle of endurance, strategy, and breathtaking landscapes that will undoubtedly capture the hearts of cycling enthusiasts worldwide.
PARTICIPATING TEAMS
The organisation has announced the 21 teams that will participate in La Vuelta Femenina 24 by Carrefour.es. 13 UCI Women’s World Teams will be present at the starting line:
8 UCI Women’s Continental Teams will also participate: