With hardly a break from Seville to the harshness of León
XXIX Vuelta Ciclista a León
From 23 to 28 July
The Italian Daniele Cantoni, José Antonio García, Carlos García, Sergio García, Sergio Hernández, Jorge Pastor and the Portuguese Daniel Viegas are the seven chosen by Polartec-Kometa to face, between Monday and Saturday, a new edition of the always demanding Vuelta Ciclista a León. A varied team, capable of developing in all areas, a formation that brings together fast men, climbers and adventurers.
The event in León, promoted by a Provincial Council which, according to the regional press, allocates up to 145,000 euros to its implementation, is one of the classic summer cycling events. A race that always has a special place for the mountains and that even in past editions has faced some major ports virtually unknown for the Tour of Spain, and professional cycling, in the region of La Cabrera.
The Vuelta a León 2018 starts in León with a night prologue (it starts at 22.00 hours), a schedule that gives a little more margin to all the sports structures, since Seville finishes the day before. After a first stage with a more adventurous and fast men profile, on Wednesday riders will arrive at a third port in Villaverde de la Cuerna, after a day with up to six mountain passes and a lot of broken terrain.
The final stage in Molinaseca will be another test of fire: it presents an early passage through the demanding Foncebadón and near the finish line, just five kilometres away, is the Alto de Onamio. In La Baña, the next day, the climbers will have another appointment with the chain-linked Alto de Sigüella and the first Alto de Silván, as well as two final, non-scoring stages. The last stage, more favorable to the sprint.
“I finished Zamora with a lot of confidence and I am looking forward to competing in León. Actually, I look good,” says Daniele Cantoni. “I’m feeling pretty good too, I’m really looking forward to this lap. We’ll have the most fun, me and the guys. I’m sure the team will have a lot to talk about,” said Sergio Garcia. “I’m looking forward to the race,” says Viegas, who has a strong interest in the squad and is motivated by the team’s desire to take part in the event.
The stages.
23 July: Leon-Leon, prologue 3.5 km CRI.
24 July: Benavides de Órbigo-Laguna de Negrillos (126.7 km).
25 July: Vegacervera-Villaverde de la Cuerna (141.1 km).
26 July: Bembibre-Molinaseca (131.2 km).
27 July: San Cristóbal de la Polantera-La Baña (165.7 km).
28th July: Murias de Paredes-Astorga (106 km).
