Location
Guadalajara to Madrid
Duration
7 Days | 6 Nights
Length
60 - 100km daily
Climb
500 - 1,500m daily
10 Sep 2019 - 16 Sep 2019
The final leg of the third and final Grand Tour in Spain promises to be an action packed, exhilarating journey. Riding past medieval castles and through old Spanish villages, we tackle the formidable mountain climbs of Navacerrada, criss-cross the incredible central mountain system of Sierra de Gredos and watch the winner of La Roja come soaring over the finish line, in the final high-speed circuit of Madrid!
This tour is designed to enjoy the best 60-100 km as we ride just ahead of the pros, making sure we always enjoy the best of the action. Whilst we’ll get immersed in the heart of the crowds and watch the race from the best possible vantage points, we’ll ride at our own pace, taking all the time we need to fully experience the panoramic mountain views, long sweeping switchbacks and the undulating plains striped with grape vines and olive groves.
During this tour we’ll stay in Guadalajara, in the dramatic high-walled medieval city Ávila - located in the land where Cervantes set the fictional journeys of Don Quijote - and in the vibrant and spirited Spanish capital, Madrid. Each evening, we'll enjoy local cuisine and stay in a lovely hotel - for this tour, the quality of hotels, food and wine are as important as the cycling.
If you have the time you can extend your adventure and join us on the second leg of "Experience" - Basque Country, Cantabria & Asturias (6 day tour) to enjoy some of the best cycling in northern Spain, following the Atlantic coastline and the amazing Picos Europa.
Please note - Grand Tours Project is not an "Official Tour Operator" of La Vuelta. You can find these Official Tour Operators on the Vuelta website.
Total price: FROM € 3,375
Bienvenido a Madrid
Welcome to the grand finale. We'll meet you at Madrid airport and transport you to our lovely hotel in Guadalajara, where we will be staying for the first two nights. Our mechanic will help you unpack and build your bike, we'll hand out the team kit, and make final preparations before tomorrow's ride. After discussing the week's programme, we'll enjoy a hearty dinner in the city centre while enjoying the buzzing atmosphere before the final week!
Guadalajara - Guadalajara
64km / 830m
Today marks the longest stage of the Grand Tour. Starting from our hotel in Guadalajara, we will ride through small medieval villages, tackling just one 3rd category climb "Puerto Grado del Pico" before going undulating our way back through the hills to Guadalajara. Whilst the pros are racing 200 km, our course takes us on a total of 64 km today, leaving time to enjoy the ride and get a quick change of clothes before watching them charge over the finish line.
Colmenar Viejo - Becerril de la Sierra
58km / 1090m
We will have an earlier start today as we tackle the most anticipated and talked about climb in this year's course, "Puerto de Navacerrada” - 41km to the summit, 24km of which will be climbing. Once we reach the summit our team will prepare a picnic for you to enjoy, whilst you get your cameras ready and find a prime viewing spot to watch the pros reach the first summit of the day. After lunch we'll enjoy the descent into Becerril de la Sierra. The race will be finishing here in a few hours but we will check in to our hotel for the next two nights and take the opportunity to relax or explore the beautiful walled city of Avila.
Ávila - Ávila
70km / 1180m
After a relaxing morning in Avila, it’s time to get on our bikes again, this time riding the first 13.8km of stage 19. Although it is classified as a ‘flat stage’ we will start the day climbing the 3rd category climb Alto de la Paramera (1,415m). At the summit, we join our team in a prime viewing spot to grab some refreshment and again get your camera ready for the race to pass! After the peloton and support cars have passed we will continue riding along the official route until El Barraco, where we will leave the race route and enjoy cruising along the winding roads back to Avila. In the evening we will savour some of the local dishes!
Alto de Gredos - Plataforma de Gredos
73km / 1420m
It’s the penultimate stage of the Grand Tour and the final mountain stage. With no less than 5 mountain passes, it’s the last chance for the leaders to fight for the red jersey, we are in for a real treat today! Starting from Alto de Gredos (top of the third climb), we will ride the final 79km of stage 20. A quick descent will take us to the foot of the first of our two climbs today; Puerto de Peña Negra (1st category) climbing 15km and 860m ascent to the summit. The final climb will see us heading back up to Alto des Gredos, 9km with 390m of ascent, where we will cross the finish line and watch the pros! In the evening we will transfer to Madrid and check in to our 5-star hotel, conveniently located in the centre of Madrid!
Madrid Circuit
50km / 430m
The grand finale! After a relaxed breakfast we ride to the start-line and then cycle together through the streets of Madrid, passing the beautiful monuments and buildings that define the city and finishing with the final fast-paced closed circuit of stage 21. Once crossing the finish line we'll celebrate our incredible achievements while soaking up the unmatched energy and spirit of the race. We'll watch the final race to the finish together and cheer on the pros as they complete their final battle for the red jersey. Our celebratory dinner this evening will be one to remember as we are surrounded by the life, passion and spirit of the Spanish nation and La Roja!
Adiós
You have just cycled a full week of a Grand Tour! Congratulations! You simply cannot get any closer to the real action than this. Having enjoyed our celebratory dinner last night, we can relish the well earned sleep-in. After breakfast and good coffee, we'll help you with packing your bike and transport you to the airport for your trip home. You'll be taking home memories, achievements, new friendships and stories that you will never forget. Thank you