The Golobar and the Sanctuary of the Heather, the great incentives of the return of the Vuelta a Palencia
52º Vuelta Ciclista a Palencia
From 9 to 12 August
The Kometa Cycling Team was one of the first fifteen teams announced to take part in the return to the roads of one of the most prestigious amateur stage races on the national scene. Two years after its disappearance due to economic reasons, the Vuelta a Palencia will take up the path that began in the 20th century with the help of the Club Ciclista Montaña Palentina (Palentina Mountain Cycling Club). Without being disputed, it is a firm candidate for the summer cycling sporting event. In the 2015 edition, the sub23 structure of the Alberto Contador Foundation was consecrated as the best team in a race in which the Balearic Enric Mas finished second.
The Vuelta a Palencia returns with four evening stages, two of which will have their end in high or slope. The second stage arrives at the Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora del Brezo. From the detour of the road that connects Cervera de Pisuerga and Guardo, more than 3.5 kilometres at an average of 6.8% and ramps of 16% in its second kilometre. According to the organization, it will be an increase of 2.9 kilometers to an average of 7.9%. Very demanding, in any case, after a day in which a very high speed is foreseen.
One of the mythical climbs of amateur cycling is scheduled for Sunday, the Golobar refuge, at the foot of Pico Valdecebollas. The Golobar, in addition to being a myth, also has a great story behind an unfinished winter sports centre project.
It will be a stage of short mileage and about 30 kilometers through Cantabrian lands, but up to four mountain heights will harden the journey to the final climb: from Barruelo de Santullán are more than 13.5 kilometers in which the average slope is located at 5.4%. Halfway up the climb, after the detour to Salcedillo, a kilometre above 10% will be crucial in the resolution of the stage.
The Kometa Cycling Team comes with a team in which the Italian Alessandro Fancellu, recent winner of the Vuelta a León, will be present. The Spaniard Joan Martí Bennassar, the Spaniard Carlos García, the Catalan Álex Martín and the Andalusians Sergio García and Alejandro Ropero complete a very powerful formation.
The stages.
Friday 9 August: Galletas Gullón – Aguilar de Campoo (148.9 km).
Saturday 10 August: Villamuriel de Cerrato – Sanctuary del Brezo (146.8 km).
Sunday 11 August: Pisuerga Salt Flats – Refugio del Golobar (99.3 km).
Monday 12 August: Palencia-Palencia (126.2 km).
(automatic translation, sorry for mistakes)
