2016 Vuelta a Andalucía

The 62nd edition of the Vuelta a Andalucía, also known as the Ruta del Sol, was held in Andalusia, in southern Spain, from 17 to 21 February 2016. Spanish rider Alejandro Valverde won the event after winning the final mountain-top stage; his fourth overall victory in the Vuelta a Andalucía.[1]

2016 Vuelta a Andalucía
UCI Europe Tour
Race details
Dates17–21 February 2016
Stages5
Distance694.6 km (431.6 mi)
Winning time17hr 41' 10"
Results
Winner  Alejandro Valverde (ESP) (Movistar Team)
  Second  Tejay van Garderen (USA) (BMC Racing Team)
  Third  Bauke Mollema (NED) (Trek-Segafredo)
Points  Ben Swift (GBR) (Team Sky)
Mountains  Damiano Caruso (ITA) (BMC Racing Team)
Sprints  Jérôme Baugnies (BEL) (Wanty–Groupe Gobert)

The Vuelta a Andalucía is a road cycling stage race, rated as a 2.1 event of the 2016 UCI Europe Tour. Chris Froome, the previous year's champion, did not to defend his title.[2] The race was run over five stages. The first three stages were moderately hilly and won by sprinters; the fourth was an individual time trial; the fifth and final stage had a summit finish atop the climb of Peñas Blancas.

Course

Race summary
Alejandro Valverde won his fourth overall victory in the Vuelta a Andalucía.

The race comprised five stages, increasing in difficulty.[3][4] The first, relatively flat stage, was won by Daniele Bennati in a sprint in the streets of Seville. The second ended with a third-category climb, followed by a technical descent into Córdoba, won by sprinter Nacer Bouhanni. The third stage featured several climbs, ending with a flat run-in to El Padul, won by Oscar Gatto in the sprint of a select group. The final two stages were decisive in the general classification. The fourth stage, a 21-kilometre (13 mi) individual time trial with a technical opening half and a climb at the finish, was won by Tejay van Garderen. The final stage ended with the climb of Peñas Blancas, a 14-kilometre (8.7 mi) climb near Estepona at an average gradient of 8%. Alejandro Valverde, in eight place after the time trial, attacked from afar to overhaul van Garderen and take the overall victory.[5]

Stage schedule
Stage[3] Date Route Distance Type Winner
1 17 February Almonaster la Real to Sevilla 165.2 km (103 mi) Hilly stage  Daniele Bennati (ITA)
2 18 February Palomares del Río to Córdoba 186.3 km (116 mi) Hilly stage  Nacer Bouhanni (FRA)
3 19 February Monachil to El Padul 157.9 km (98 mi) Hilly stage  Oscar Gatto (ITA)
4 20 February Alhaurín de la Torre 21 km (13 mi) Individual time trial  Tejay van Garderen (USA)
5 21 February San Roque to Peñas Blancas 164.2 km (102 mi) Mountain stage  Alejandro Valverde (ESP)

Classifications
Classification Leadership Table
Stage Winner General Classification
 Mountains Classification
 Sprints Classification
 Points Classification
 Teams Classification
1 Daniele Bennati Daniele Bennati Imanol Estevez Jérôme Baugnies Daniele Bennati Cofidis
2 Nacer Bouhanni Nacer Bouhanni Nacer Bouhanni
3 Oscar Gatto Ben Swift Damiano Caruso Ben Swift Tinkoff
4 Tejay van Garderen Tejay van Garderen BMC Racing Team
5 Alejandro Valverde Alejandro Valverde
Final Alejandro Valverde Damiano Caruso Jérôme Baugnies Ben Swift BMC Racing Team

Teams

24 teams were invited to take part in the 2016 race. Ten of these were UCI WorldTeams; ten were UCI Professional Continental teams; and four were UCI Continental teams. Each team lined up seven riders - totaling 168 riders.[6]

UCI WorldTeams

UCI Professional Continental teams

Participating teams

References
  1. "Ruta del Sol: Valverde snatchs victory from Van Gardere. Movistar veteran wins final stage atop Alto Penas Blancas". Cycling News. Immediate Media Company. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  2. "Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta Ciclista Del Sol - General Classification (preview)". ProCyclingStats. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  3. "Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta Ciclista Del Sol - General Classification (stages)". ProCyclingStats. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  4. Fotheringham, Alasdair (15 February 2016). "Vuelta a Andalucia Preview: Valverde favourite for fourth title". Cyclingnews.com. Immediate Media Company. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  5. "Valverde attacks from afar to win the Ruta del Sol". Velo News. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  6. "Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta Ciclista Del Sol - General Classification (start list)". ProCyclingStats. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
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