Grand Tour Spain: ”Ride Every Kilometre" - Week 2 Pyrenees to Asturias

Welcome to Pau, where those who have just completed the first 9 stages are taking a well earned rest day. For those of you arriving, we will collect you from the airport with smiling faces, eager with excitement for the incredible experience ahead of us. The day will be a chance for our mechanic to help set up your new bikes or check over the trusty steed that has brought you this far. After discussing the week's programme, we'll enjoy a hearty dinner in the city centre while enjoying the buzzing atmosphere.

After breakfast we'll ride out and ride the 36.1 km flat Individual Time Trial. The course will have some hills and favours the specialists, with a number of short, winding, steep slopes that allow some flat and downhill sections. After riding the course we'll stop and grab some coffee in Pau before heading back to the hotel to change. In the afternoon we'll return to the course to enjoy the energy and crowds during the fast-paced Individual Time Trial. It will be an incredible atmosphere so soak up the energy as fuel for the incredible mountain stages ahead! Tonight we transfer to our next hotel in Saint Palais, France.

An early start to the day for in order to smash out this mid-mountain stage where three 3rd category and one 2nd category climbs are waiting to be vanquished. We'll cross international borders twice in our verdant Pyrenean mountain adventure today, finally finishing up in Urdax. From here we will transfer to Navarra for what promises to be one heck of a day tomorrow.

Starting at 500 metres above sea level we begin the course at Circuito de Navarra with undulating and increasing incline towards the first 3rd category climb of four today - Alto de Azázeta (890m). The small local roads offer agile riding as this picturesque stage takes us through national parks and past lakes before descending into Dima for the three 3rd category climbs in the final 35 km. A fast descent to the finish line in Bilbao will let us lap up the attention of the gathering crowds. After checking into our Bilbao hotel we'll return to watch the pros in a dramatic downhill race to the finish line. This is a unique chance to get immersed in the Basque Country's unrivalled love of cycling as the crowds and excitiement will surround us throughout the evening in Bilbao city.

Today we'll ride out from the hotel after a big breakfast for an extremely challenging mountain stage with seven significant mountain passes: four 3rd category climbs, two 2nd category and an HC finale at the top of the famous Los Machucos. Riding through the vibrant mountains surrounding Bilbao, today features the some of the most beautiful climbs located in the heart of the Cantabria region; Collado de Asón and Puerto Alisas. After conquering the final climb of the day we will drive to the rustic port town of San Vicente de la Barquera, nestled away in the rocky Atlantic coastline.

Today is a truly beautiful stage that follows Spain's stunning northern coastline through the heart of Cantabria. There will be plenty of time to soak up the panoramic views that see the amazing Picos Europa on one side of us and the wild Atlantic ocean along side on the other. A welcome and largely flat course we'll have the chance to regain some energy and set the pace with our teammates. With incredible views all around us we'll hit the only notable climb of the day, Alto La Madera - 3rd category, just before rolling downhill for the final 30 km into Oviedo. We'll take the opportunity to take lots of photos before transferring onto our hotel in Tineo - the start of the next stage.

A perfect day for the climbers. With no less than four significant ascents of 700m+ at 1st and 2nd category. Make sure to catch a breath when you visit the two most famous passes in western Asturias: Puerto del Conio and Puerto del Pozo de las Mujeres Muertas, and take in the spectacular views across the valleys and hills. We'll stop for lunch on the third climb of the day, recharging our energy for the last climb up the demanding HC category "Puerto del Acebo" and ending at the challenging " Santuario del Acebo". Once arrived we'll drive to our hotel in Pravia.

A true mountain stage for the final course of this region. With five progressively hard climbs that build towards the stunning and demanding finalé: Alto de La Cubilla - a climb of 28km that averages 10% gradient whilst winding 1400m up long sweeping switchbacks that overlook a spectacular mountainous landscape. Expect to pass through amazing places full of cheering crowds. Take time to enjoy the fast-paced descent to the penultimate pass of Alto de la Coberteria. Once over the finish line we will transfer to Oviedo where we you can enjoy a beer or just relax and celebrate the final day on this section of the tour.

Farewell to those leaving us here in the journey. After having a great final breakfast and helping you to pack up your bikes, we will transfer you to Asturias airport. For those moving on to tackle the final stages the Tour, we'll be driving down to Aranda del Duero in the morning for an afternoon of relaxation before the final assault.