Stage Description

Note: The itinerary is subject to change as the race preparation develops. If, for instance, we have a category for stage winners, then there will be presentations to fit in each evening.

This is a summary of the route/stages for the race. A more informative ‘Road Book’ will be issued on race registration days, ( 10th and 11th July, 2010 ). The book will include a map with each stage route marked and a brief description and grid references. The route will also be marked and monitored by team of Check Point Monitors ( approximately every 12 km ) and patrolled by motor cycle marshals.

( Stage distances are approximate and may alter before the Road Book is finalized ).

Stage 1 : Loja to Alhama de Granada, 37km.

   ( Excluding neutralized start. )

The " start " will be from the Manzanil Hotel and the first 2 km will be neutralized to the Font Natura factory our water sponsor’s plant. The race starts from here and you will be on a tarmac road which soon becomes dirt and rock as you climb. This is a very hard ascent through desert landscape and the climb takes you to over 1420m. It will be very hot and there is no shade apart from at the various check points. Gradually descending tracks to Alhama de Granada will be tough on the legs but the finish will be at a sports centre where there is a swimming pool and massage available.

VIew Stage 1 with Garmin >>

Stage 2 : Alhama de Granada to Jatar, 42km.

The stage begins by descending into Alhama’s spectacular gorge. From here you travel through the full length of the gorge and then continue along sections of the GR7 before heading into the Sierra Almijara. This tough mountain stage includes a new, very beautiful, single track section between Jatar and CP3 and from here you begin to descend via the forest tracks before some tough final climbs into Jatar. The stage finish is at the Nacimiento campsite on the edge of town.

View part of Stage 2 with Garmin >>

Stage 3 : Jatar to Jayena, 42km.

The stage begins at the campsite and takes the scenic, tarmac road out to Lake Bermejales and on towards Fornes. Instead of entering Fornes you follow tracks via the Resinera and a steep dirt road climb to a forest airstrip and then its mountain tracks all the way through some incredibly beautiful scenery. You rejoin the GR7 and follow it towards Jayena. About 4km before the village you enter another section of single track which takes you to the Bacal campsite finish.

View Stage 3 with Garmin >>

Stage 4 : Jayena to Santa Cruz del Comercio, 61km.

The " long day ". From Bacal you follow single track alongside the River Turillas to edge of Jayena and then turn left to begin hard climb towards forest airstrip. Near the airstrip you take right single track to Fornes then on to Lake Bermejales, lakeside track to Bermejales via bridge and on via long ascent to Agron Tower. More tracks lead to Cacin, poplar groves and then big climb to Pocapaja and more tracks including a long descent into Santa Cruz del Comercio. From here it is just 4km to the finish but climbing all the way. Finish is in the Camping Tiro after a very tough day. 

Stage 5 : Santa Cruz del Comercio to Loja, 37km.

The final stage begins with descent into Santa Cruz then the route follows the river bank via poplar groves to Valenzuela but soon the climbing begins. A hard climb to Torre Gallina is followed by a very long descent which takes you into a spectacular valley. The valley track takes you to Salar. From here undulating tracks through olive groves lead to a short tunnel under the autovia and the final 2km surfaced road to Hotel Manzanil finish.

Note : Route and distances are subject to alteration but final route will be correct in the Road Book.

More images and photos of the Stages and 2009 race >>

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