The 68th edition of the Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta Ciclista Del Sol begins this week with Mikel Landa and Wout Poels having high hopes leading the team. Lining up with them is debutant Edoardo Zambanini, Jack Haig, Domen Novak and Damiano Caruso.

The nickname, Ruta del Sol, is in reference to the region’s popular tourist coastline, the Costa del Sol. With this being our riders first race outing in 2022, optimism is high as to what we can achieve in the southern region of Spain.

In stage one, the expectation is that of a punchy finish with over 1km uphill – resulting in a reduced group fighting for the stage win as we make the 200km long trip from Ubrique to Iznájar. The following day will also be a key factor in the general classification, going from Archidona – a town in Malaga – to Alcalá la Real. Completing this stage in the top positions will be a tough task for all the riders competing, with the final 500m including a tricky cobble sector.

Moving into Stage Three and Four, the focus will turn to the sprinters and where breakaways will be crucial in order to stay in touch with the top order of the GC. Both stages, totalling over 150km each from Lucena to Baza on day four, are hilly across their entirety, but the last few miles will provide a short respite with somewhat flat finishes.

All going well, the finale on the 20th of February will invoke a real, tough fight to create a breakaway and ultimately take pole position in the GC standings. As the riders come into Chiclana de Segura, they can expect a long but steady uphill climb to complete proceedings.

Due to Covid protocols, we are down to six riders at the ‘Ruta del Sol’.

Sports Director Gorazd Stangelj: “Expectations are to fight for a stage result every day and reach the podium in the General Classification.

This race is also a big test before Paris-Nice and Tirreno, so doing good here is important for the long term strategy.”