VUELTA A ESPAÑA (18 August-9 September)
Javier Guillén promises daily excitement
The 67th Tour of Spain will kick off in Pamplona with a team time trial on August 18. Following the start in the province of Navarra, ten uphill finishes are scheduled in the three-week long race. General director Javier Guillén introduces the event.
Q: Is the 2012 Vuelta a race for climbers?
A: There are truly a lot of mountain stages but our philosophy is to offer to the public a daily excitement in the finale of each stage. Through the years, we’ve understood the expectations of our fans and athletes and we’ve taken their wishes into consideration. I’m confident in the quality of the coming spectacle.
Q: How do you welcome the participation of all the best Spanish cyclists at the difference of the previous editions?
A: Alberto Contador, Joaquim “Purito” Rodrìguez, Alejandro Valverde, Igor Anton and defending champion Juan José Cobo will be there. However, it won’t be a Vuelta only for Spanish riders. I expect interesting battles with Chris Froome who finished second of the past Vuelta and Tour de France, also with Denis Menchov who has won the Vuelta on two occasions in the past. I believe that a great champion like Philippe Gilbert will have a few opportunities to win stages. There’ll be some great sprinters too, even though the route won’t always suit them.
Q: This year, the Giro and the Tour have turned into the favour of time triallists [Ryder Hesjedal and Bradley Wiggins, respectively]. Is the Vuelta so different from the two other Grand Tours?
A: Yes, the Vuelta is different. Every Grand Tour has a strong character. The Vuelta takes place in the cycling calendar less than one month after the end of the Tour de France. That’s why we choose shorter distances on a route that generates tussles. The season is long for the riders. At this time of the year, they like intense but short efforts. Year after year, we’ve learnt how to build the kind of program they like.
Q: What are the most difficult finishes?
A: Finishes in high altitude are: Valdezcaray (stage 4), Andorra with the interesting climb of La Gallina (stage 8), Puerto de Ancares (stage 14), Lagos de Covadonga (stage 15), the Cuitu Negru (stage 16) that has all the characteristics to become a regular hot spot of the Vuelta, and the Bola del Mundo on the penultimate day of the Vuelta like two years ago. But there are also flat stages. It’s a well balanced course.
Q: What’s the importance of Alberto Contador’s presence?
A: It creates a great enthusiasm. He attracts a lot of fans and medias. Alberto motivates the Spanish people. He looks forward to take part in the race and we’re impatient to see him in action.
Q: Juan José Cobo’s was a surprise last year. Do you expect a similar outcome this year?
A: He surprised a few but since the start he was an option as a challenger. Froome was also able to win and that would have been another surprise. This year, they are both among the favourites but with the presence of Contador, “Purito” and those mentioned before, there are less possibilities for a surprise this year. Shall the winner not be one of them, he’ll have to be terrifically strong.
Q: Starting from Navarra one year after the come-back of the Vuelta to the Basque country, what does it mean for you?
A: Navarra is the land of Miguel Indurain who remains one of the main personalities of Spanish sport. Two teams from Navarra are taking part in the Vuelta: Movistar and Caja Rural. It’s a hot bed of cycling! Pamplona will highlight a beautiful face of Spain. It’s a reminder of Spanish culture that helps us promoting our philosophy of the Vuelta.
Tour of Spain stages
august 18 : Stage 1 (Team Time Trial), Pamplona-Pamplona (16,2 km)
august 19 : Stage 2, Pamplona-Viana (180 km)
august 20 : Stage 3, Fautino V-Eibar (153 km)
august 21 : Stage 4, Barakaldo-Estacion de Valdezcaray (155,4 km)
august 22 : Stage 5, Logrono-Logrono (172 km)
august 23 : Stage 6, Tarazona-Jaca (174,8 km)
august 24 : Stage 7, Huesca-Alcaniz. Motorland Aragon (160 km)
august 25 : Stage 8, Lleida-Andorra Collada de la Gallina (175 km)
august 26 : Stage 9, Andorra-Barcelona (194 km)
august 27 : Rest day
august 28 : Stage 10, Ponteareas-Sanxenxo (166,4 km)
august 29 : Stage 11 (Time Trial), Cambados-Pontevedra (40 km)
august 30 : Stage 12, Vilagarcia de Arousa-Dumbria. Mirador de Ezaro (160 km)
august 31 : Stage 13, Santiago de Compostela-Ferrol (155 km)
september 1: Stage 14, Palas de Rei-Puerto de Ancares (152 km)
september 2 : Stage 15, La Robla-Lacs de Covadonga (186,7 km)
september 3 : Stage 16, Gijon-Valgrande-Pajares. Cuitu Negru (185 km)
september 4 : Rest day
september 5 : Stage 17, Santander-Fuente Dé (177 km)
september 6 : Stage 18, Aguilar de Campoo-Valladolid (186,4 km)
september 7 : Stage 19, Penafiel-La Lastrilla (169 km)
september 8 : Stage 20, La Faisanera Golf. Segovia 21-Bola del Mundo (169,5 km)
september 9 : Stage 21, Cercedilla-Madrid (111,9 km)