The 2015 Andalucia Bike Race route covers 422 kilometres and 13 856 metres of vertical climbing across its six stages. The fifth edition of will have the most elevation gain in the race’s history. The mountainous terrain of the four stages in Jaén have contributed to the total amount of climbing, but it will decrease once the race moves on. The stages have been set in alternating order, combining long and short stages in order to relieve the riders.
The 2015 Andalucía Bike Race will kick off with a very long stage due to its distance and elevation (maximum for this edition in both cases), which will sort out the bunch for the following stages. So expect a high pace to start the day. More than 90 kilometres and more than 3.200 metres of elevation, mostly along trails surrounding the Quiebrajano dam, a spectacular location.
The second stage will be similar to that from 2014 and will introduce long stretches of singletrack, giving a glimpse of the race’s essence. As the days pass, the riders will face more singletrack. Barely 60 kilometres for the stage, but with more than 2.300 metres of climbing along the Neveral.
Before leaving the capital of Jaén, riders will face a stage of 74 kilometres and 3.000 metres of vertical elevation, having climbed both faces of Jabalcuz and having gone along La Grana.
The transition stage between Jaén and Córdoba will be hosted in Mancha Real. The participants will face a short but intense stage. Nearly 53 kilometres and nearly 2.150 metres of climbing, with a lot of flowy singletrack that will make take them to Córdoba with a big smile.
The last two stages will be raced in the Córdoba capital. The first of them, and fifth day of the race, will show a great part of Sierra Morena, since nearly all its corners are ridden. Nearly 90 kilometres, very uneven, that will ad up to more than 2.000 metres of climbing.
That last stage will be the farewell but it will be an enjoyable and happy goodbye, following the best singletrack in the area. Barely 54 kilometres and 1.100 metres of elevation should please weary legs. Cerro Muriano will be reached after having ridden its surroundings, riders will descend to connect with the extraordinary Santo Domingo singletracks, before crossing the sixth and final finish line of Andalucía Bike Race 2015.
Don’t pray for snow.
The stages’ characteristics can be now checked on the official website: