Saturday September the 5th. 13:20h Valencia's Harbour
The magnificence and competitiveness that characterizes La Vuelta, the emotion and passion that cycling awakes in all of us, is guaranteed in this 64th edition, which will land in Valencia on its 7th stage, putting an end to the first third of the Spanish race.
This edition, the one with most Valencia´s flavour yet¸ will stay in our autonomous region for six stages that will help the city of Valencia project once again its image when the 30 km timed stage takes place at the F1 European Gran Prix urban circuit.
Valencia is going to live, and without a doubt, is going to burst with a new and exciting sport appointment that will leave thousands of cycling fans satisfied, all of this within the special appeal of the landscape of a city that embraces the Mediterranean Sea.
With a departure from the America´s Cup pier, the stage has a route that will prove the cyclists power, especially of the timed stages ´experts, having as finish line the exact same one as the F1 European Grand Prix. This 7th stage of La Vuelta 09 is an invitation from Valencia to all of you, to enjoy the cycling show, and to do it from an incomparable setting that adds beauty to the sport event that is the Spanish race. It is an honour to open one more time Valencia´s gates to a new edition of La Vuelta Ciclista a España, and to invite all Valencians to enjoy, the next 5th of September, an unforgettable day of high-level cycling. With unaccountable attractions that not many cities can list, Valencia has been a revelation destiny these past few years.
Its virtues and the projection the America´s Cup has given us, make the world acquainted with the wonderful combination of a two thousand years old past and the most avant-garde architecture, all mixed up with a contagious joyfulness and the incomparable Mediterranean light. A walk around the city centre, melting pot of Roman, Moorish and Christian architecture, is the best election to start the city tour.
It is mandatory to visit the Cathedral, the Almoina Square, the silk marketplace, the Circle Square and the Central Market. All this places still keep the enchantment of tradition and authenticity. Valencia is also one of the Spanish cities with more modern architecture. The Ensanche is a large zone filled with structures and modern mansions from the end of the 19th century.
In its centre you can find the Colon Market, fully restored and now a leisure and cultural centre. This Mediterranean metropolis is also famous for its green spaces. The Turia Gardens are 8km long, and they cross the city along the path of the old Turia River. It is exactly this place where the City of Arts and Science is nowadays. A unique complex designed by the architect Santiago Calatrava. The Biopark, Parque Natural de la Albufera or the beaches are two essential visits for nature lovers. Valencia offers cultural and gastronomic attractions as well.
The capital of Turia has more than 30 museums for the inquiring souls, and more than 8.000 bars and restaurants that will satisfy the demands of all of those who visit us.
The estage:
The Vuelta´s second time trial will take place on Saturday 5th September on another circuit that unites the motor sport's fat slicks with cycling's slim tubs.
This time, Valencia will be play host to a stage that starts and finishes on the city’s Formula 1 street circuit, a similar sceanrio to the first day’s stage in Assen.
This seventh stage is completely flat, 30-km individual effort. The first rider is scheduled to start at 13.20, whilst the last competitor is to finish around 17.30 (the scheduled finish time for practically all of the stages).
The time-trial course, which takes the riders from Valencia to El Saler and back to Valencia, is ideal for the most powerful men capable of turning 55-teeth chainwheels and 11-teeth sprockets. Previous editions: Valencia has hosted stage starts and finishes on more than 30 occasions.
The most recent stage finish (2004) saw a bunch sprint which was won by Alessandro Petacci, while 1987’s individual time-trial was won by Irishman Sean Kelly.
Schedule:
Salida primer ciclista 13:20 h.
Salida último ciclista 16:55 h.
Llegada primer ciclista 13:56 h.
Llegada último ciclista 17:31 h.
Velocidad media prevista 50 kms/h
Los corredores saldrán a intervalos de 1 minuto, excepto los 30 últimos que lo harán cada 2 minutos.
Duración :36 m aproximadamente.
El circuito se debe cortar al trafico a partir de las 10:30 h.
Alojamiento
Los mejores apartamentos de la ciudad. Lo mejor de los apartamentos con toda la comodidad de un hotel.
Habitaciones tematizadas para pasar una noche de ensueño. Único en Valencia. Inlovidable.
La propuesta de calidad más económica de la ciudad. Para los que prefieren gastar su dinero en otras cosas que no sea dormir.