The Vuelta a España (Tour of Spain) 2010 The Final Week Friday 10th to Monday 20th September 2010 Luxury 4* Hotel Accommodation Guided by ex Vuelta rider Marcelino Garcia (ONCE & CSC) V.I.P. accreditation passes for starts / finishes Friday 10th - Monday 20th September 2010

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.

YOU WILL SEE…..
3 mountain stages
3 Flat stages
1 Individual Time Trial

Friday 10th September: Arrival Day
Arrange your own flight to Madrid where our reps will meet you and take you the short distance into the city of Madrid, and the 4* Hotel NH (www.nh-hoteles.com), where you will spend the night on Dinner Bed & Breakfast. At 21.00hrs there will be a welcome dinner at the hotel where you will be able to meet and get to know your traveling companions and our reps, and we shall explain how the tour will operate.
We have arranged for you to keep your bike box / bag at the NH Hotel for the duration of the tour, as your bike will be safely stored and transported in our bike trailer or van.

Saturday 11th September:
After breakfast we shall leave Madrid and travel to the northern Spanish coast and the region of Asturias and the city of Oviedo, where we shall spend the next 3 nights on half board basis (Dinner B&B) at the excellent 4* Hotel NH (www.nh-hoteles.com). The hotel is located in the heart of Oviedo and close to many shops bars and restaurants.
Our location in Oviedo is excellent for accessing the two big Asturian mountain stages to the famous Lagos de Covadonga and Cotobello.

At dinner you will be introduced to our ex professional guide Marcelino Garcia. He is from the region of Asturias and has excellent knowledge of the regions roads and climbs that La Vuleta will visit. His experience of the region will give our tour the extra added value.

Sunday 12th September: Solares to Lagos de Covadonga, 170km
Our first encounter with La Vuelta will be with one of the hardest mountain stages of the race. Today’s mountain stage starts from the coastal town of Solares, near Santander and finishes high in the Picos de Europa national park at Los Lagos de Covadonga in the region of Asturias. The climb to Los Lagos de Covadonga is one of the hardest climbs in La Vuelta with sections of 18%.

Our ex pro guide Marcelino Garcia is from the region of Asturias and knows the climb well and has raced up it in both the Vuelta Espana & Vuelta Asturias.

We shall leave Oviedo in the tour vehicle and those with bikes will be able to ride the climb of Los Lagos de Covadonga to see the stage, whilst those without bikes will be taken to the climb. After seeing the stage we shall return to our hotel in Oviedo.

Monday 13th September: Gijon to Cotobello, 179km
The mountains continue and today’s stage finishes at the Asturian mountain of Cotobello. Once again our location in Oviedo is excellent for accessing the stage. Those with bikes will be able to ride from our hotel in Oviedo to the stage finish at Cotobello, whilst those without bikes will be taken there by our touring coach.
After seeing the stage we shall return to the Hotel NH in Oviedo.

Tuesday 14th September: Rest Day (Transfer)
Today is the second and final rest day of La Vuelta, and our location in Oviedo gives us the opportunity to ride the reputed hardest climb in the world, the Angliru. The climb is only 13km long from the base to the top but the last 7km has an average gradient of over 16% and there are parts of 23%. Our ex pro guide Marcelino Garcia is from the Asturias region and knows the climb well, he raced up it in the 2000 Vuelta, so will be able to give you all the advice you need.
After breakfast those with bikes shall ride from the hotel to the climb of Angliru, whilst those without bikes will have the morning at leisure in the city of Oviedo.
After lunch we shall travel to Valladolid, where we shall spend the next 2 nights on Dinner Bed & Breakfast.

Wednesday 15th September: Peñafiel Individual Time Trial, 46km
After breakfast we shall leave our hotel in Valladolid and travel the short distance to Peñafiel, where those with bikes will be able to ride the 40km Time Trial route, after which you will be able to watch the time trial start and finish. Those without bikes will be taken to Peñafiel where they will be able to see both the stage start / riders warm up, and also the stage finish.
You will be provided with VIP Hospitality passes for today, where you will be able to get close up to the riders.
After seeing the stage we shall return to our hotel in Valladolid.

Thursday 16th September: Valladolid to Salamanca, 153km
After a number of mountain stages, the sprinters will again get their chance of a stage victory on today’s 153km flat stage between Valladolid and Salamanca.
Our location in Valladolid is excellent for accessing the stage and we shall see the stage start.
After seeing the stage we shall travel to the royal town of San Lorenzo El Escorial where we shall spend the next 3 nights on Dinner Bed & Breakfast at the 4* Hotel NH Victoria Palace (www.nh-hoteles.com). Our location in San Lorenzo El Escorial is ideal for accessing the next 3 stages.

Friday 17th September: Pierdrahita to Toledo, 200km
Another chance for the sprinters or a breakaway group as the riders tackle a downhill & flat stage between Pierdrahita and Toledo.
We shall see the stage as it passes through the feed station near to San Martin de Valdeiglesias. Those with bikes will be able to ride from our hotel in El Escorial whilst those without bikes will be taken in the vehicle.
After seeing the stage, we shall return to the hotel in El Escorial.

Saturday 18th September: San Martin de Valdeiglesias to Bola del Mundo, 169km
After starting in San Martin de Valdeiglesias, the final mountain stage of the 2010 Vuelta a Espana will finish at the Bola del Mundo Mountain, which is a continuation of the Navacerrada climb. Enroute, the riders will have to face the climbs of Alto del Leon, and 2 climbs of the tough Puerto Navacerrada, the final assent taking in the Bola del Mundio finish.
Our location in San Lorenzo El Escorial could not be better for accessing today’s stage, as the town is situated very close to the Navercerrada climb. Those with bikes will be able to ride to the climb of Navacerrada & Bola del Mundo to see the stage twice, whilst those without bikes will be taken there in the bus.
After seeing the stage we shall return to the Hotel NH Victoria Palace.

Sunday 19th September: San Sebastian de los Reyes to Madrid, 100km
As is a tradition by now in the important tours, the last stage is usually a triumphant ride for the winner up to the start of the Madrid circuit, where the teams with sprinters make sure of keeping the peloton under control to reach the sprint. Today’s final stage starts on the outskirts of Madrid from San Sebastian de los Reyes and after 100km finishes in the centre of Madrid on the Paseo Castellana.
There will be no option of a bike ride today. You will be taken to by our tour bus to San Sebastian de los Reyes where you will be issued with a VIP Hospitality pass which will allow you access to the riders enclosure and hospitality village. After seeing the stage start we shall return to the city of Madrid where you will be able to see the 8 lap finale and stage finish.
After seeing the stage and riders prize presentation you will have the rest of the evening at leisure in Madrid, but we will provide you with entry to the official Vuelta Party, where many of the riders will be present.

Monday 20th September:
You will in the morning the short distance to Madrid airport for your return flight.

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