Do sprinters grab their first and possibly only chance in the Ruta del Sol?
On an atypical route of the Ruta del Sol 2026, cycling fans will be treated to several exciting stages this week. The first stage normally ends in a mass sprint, although that is not a foregone conclusion. WielerFlits looks ahead!
Route
The opening phase of this stage is the same as that of last season’s final stage. At Ronda, the riders now turn right instead of left. Still, the profile looks almost identical afterward. Attackers will need to make their move in the first half of the stage.
Several riders – including Baptiste Veistroffer, Marc Soler, and Arnaud Tendon – have already surprised the peloton in this early preseason. In the last hour of the race, sprinters’ teams will get the chance to organize themselves. Will they manage to do so on time?
Classifications
Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta Ciclista Del Sol 2026
Stage winner and classification leaders after stage 1
Favorites
This year’s opening stage closely resembles last year’s Ruta del Sol finale. Back then, breakaway rider Jon Barrenetxea took the win. The peloton, still about 45 riders strong, finished half a minute behind. That shows just how much is possible in the finish town of Pizarra. The sprinters will certainly try again, but we must also consider a break that holds out.
Regarding sprinters, Fernando Gaviria is the biggest name. The Colombian, who has been racing for Caja Rural-Seguros RGA since this season, is no longer the rider he once was. Moreover, it’s questionable whether he can survive this tough course. A rider like Axel Zingle (Visma | Lease a Bike) has an edge in that respect.
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