Blog on Pause For a Week

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kOE-ir4RBc[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMn5RSfXzVo[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy5Hxyd655s[/youtube]

Watch the videozine, think about how great the tour was, prepare for the vuelta.

In 2010, the Vuelta a España will be celebrating its 75h Anniversary.

Over these past 75 years, the world and cycling have changed a great deal. That first edition held 75 years ago had 14 stages, almost all of which were over 250 kms long. What is to be the 75th “Platinum” edition will have 21 stages averaging 170 kms. A considerable difference aimed at being a spectacular event with shorter stages and fast-paced dashes to the finish line.

And the show will be getting off to a start in Seville, against the backdrop of the La Maestranza Bullring. On August 28th, a Vuelta as none ever before will be getting under way. A night-time team time trial through Seville’s most emblematic areas will be welcoming racers, sponsors, technical personnel and numerous spectators gathering to once again follow this excitingly vibrant events of three-week Spanish race.

Six summit finishes, two of which are newcomers to La Vuelta, will be crowding fans along the shoulders of the roads to greet the passing peloton. Xorret del Catí, where Alejandro Valverde earned himself the yellow jersey last year, Andorra’s Pal Pass, Peña Cabarga, which will be on the course for the second time, and Lagos de Covadonga will all be providing the enjoyment of great finishes just as in the past. The new finishing points in Cotobello in Asturias and the “Bola del Mundo” in Madrid, will be joining in with these icons to make the history of La Vuelta a España even greater yet.

Other heart-stopping finishes will be at the finish in Malaga with its Gibralfaro Castle, in Murcia with the Cresta del Gallo a few short kilometers from the finish line, Vilanova i la Geltrú in Catalunya with the new Rat Penat climb. All of these finishes, in conjunction with the 46-kilometer time trial in the homeland of the Ribera del Duero wineries will be shaping a Vuelta which – if last year’s edition amazed us – promises not to leave anyone indifferent.

The 75th Anniversary Edition of La Vuelta a España will be reminding us of our past, will be showing us a course heretofore unseen for the most part and will be giving rise to the wonderful days of racing that we still as yet have to enjoy decked out in red.

ROUTE

From August 28th to September 19th 21 stages Total Kms. roughly 3.337,9 kms.

STAGES DETAILS

11 flat 8 medium and high mountain 1 team time trial 1 individual time trial

CLIMBS DETAILS

3 Special category 10 First category 14 Second category 13 Third category 40 Total climbs

OTHER RACE DETAILS

6 high mountain finishes 16,5 kms. team time trial 46,0 kms. individual time trial

NEVER SEEN STAGES START

Alcalá de Guadaira Caravaca de la Cruz Villena Vilanova Rincón de Soto Solares Peñafiel Piedrahita

NEVER SEEN STAGES ARRIVAL

Valdepeñas de Jaén Orihuela Vilanova i la Geltrú Cotobello Peñafiel Bola del Mundo

I’m hype.