La Vuelta 2022 - Stage 4:- Vitoria-Gasteiz - Laguardia, 152.5km ***Spoilers***
blazing_saddles
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Stage 4:- Vitoria-Gasteiz - Laguardia, 152.5km
Tuesday, August 23.
Start Time: 13-40CET.
La Vuelta returns to Spanish soil on the fourth day. The 152.5 kilometres long route travels from Vitoria-Gasteiz to an explosive finale in Laguardia, which the Vuelta last visited way back in 1967. Expect the Basque fans to line the route as the race visits three Basque provinces over its three weeks for the first time since 2012.
The start in the capital of the region, Vitoria-Gasteiz, last hosted a Vuelta stage two years ago. It is a regular host of Itzulia Basque Country. The mediaeval city centre sits on a hill with a fortified wall above the Zadorra River and overlooks the high mountain peaks to come.
The peloton faces rolling terrain for the first 50 kilometres, after which the ups and downs across Álava begin.
The Climbs:
The route includes two KOM climbs – Puerto de Opakua (5 kilometres à 6.9%)
Puerto de Herrera (7.3 kilometres at 4.8%)
The Herrera mountain pass comes with just 15km to the finish and should provide a launching pad
Final Kms.
The finale also runs uphill. It’s a punchy finish of 800 metres at almost 10%.
What to Expect.
A reduced peloton. As it's a punchy finish, one would therefore expect the puncheurs to be in the finishing mix, along with the more explosive of the GC men.
Vitoria-Gasteiz
Population 253,996.
Historically known in English as Vittoria, Vitoria-Gasteiz is the seat of government and the capital city of the Basque Country and of the province of Álava in northern Spain. It holds the autonomous community's House of Parliament, the headquarters of the Government, and the "Lehendakari's" (Prime Minister's) official residency.
Vitoria-Gasteiz is a dynamic city. It is consistently ranked as one of the 5 best places to live in Spain, ranking highly in quality of life and business opportunities. It is the first Spanish municipality to be awarded the title of European Green Capital.
Vitoria-Gasteiz's vicinity is home to acclaimed wineries such as Ysios, designed by world-renowned architect Santiago Calatrava, and Marqués de Riscal, by Frank Gehry.
And the inevitable plate of pintxos.
Laguardia
Population 1,454
Over half a century has passed since the last time Laguardia hosted La Vuelta. On that occasion, in the 1967 edition, the Alava municipality was the departure of a stage. In 2022, however, it will be the finish-line. Though much has changed since then, its old city centre remains perfectly intact, featuring Medieval outlines with almost one thousand years of history that are of immense touristic value, making it one of Spain’s most beautiful towns. The place lies over a hill and it is surrounded by a wall that the King Sancho the Strong ordered to build. There are still preserved five different entries to access the city. Their names are: Mercadal, Carnicerías (Butchers), Páganos, San Juan and Santa Engracia.
Regarding the economy, its main strength is the wine industry. Indeed, the wine is elaborated and processed in numerous wineries. Laguardia is the capital of one of the most famous wine regions of Spain, Rioja Alavesa. Additionally, both in Laguardia and its surroundings, a wine known as the Denominación de Origen Calificada Rioja which is useful to distinguish particular vines produces in some specific regions.
Cod fish in Riojan tomato sauce
The only fish that was available in Rioja in the past, when the fridges did not exist, was the salty preserved Cod fish. It was cooked with the local ingredients: tomatoes, onions and peppers and this is the recipe passed from generations to generations until today. It is a lovely way to enjoy this fish.
Lamb chops
Lamb chops in Rioja are grilled over vine shoots (what else!) that are pruned in winter and this give the lamb chops a very special and flavourful taste. This is probably the star meal in Rioja. Every house has a barbecue grill to make them.
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Tuesday, August 23.
Start Time: 13-40CET.
La Vuelta returns to Spanish soil on the fourth day. The 152.5 kilometres long route travels from Vitoria-Gasteiz to an explosive finale in Laguardia, which the Vuelta last visited way back in 1967. Expect the Basque fans to line the route as the race visits three Basque provinces over its three weeks for the first time since 2012.
The start in the capital of the region, Vitoria-Gasteiz, last hosted a Vuelta stage two years ago. It is a regular host of Itzulia Basque Country. The mediaeval city centre sits on a hill with a fortified wall above the Zadorra River and overlooks the high mountain peaks to come.
The peloton faces rolling terrain for the first 50 kilometres, after which the ups and downs across Álava begin.
The Climbs:
The route includes two KOM climbs – Puerto de Opakua (5 kilometres à 6.9%)
Puerto de Herrera (7.3 kilometres at 4.8%)
The Herrera mountain pass comes with just 15km to the finish and should provide a launching pad
Final Kms.
The finale also runs uphill. It’s a punchy finish of 800 metres at almost 10%.
What to Expect.
A reduced peloton. As it's a punchy finish, one would therefore expect the puncheurs to be in the finishing mix, along with the more explosive of the GC men.
Vitoria-Gasteiz
Population 253,996.
Historically known in English as Vittoria, Vitoria-Gasteiz is the seat of government and the capital city of the Basque Country and of the province of Álava in northern Spain. It holds the autonomous community's House of Parliament, the headquarters of the Government, and the "Lehendakari's" (Prime Minister's) official residency.
Vitoria-Gasteiz is a dynamic city. It is consistently ranked as one of the 5 best places to live in Spain, ranking highly in quality of life and business opportunities. It is the first Spanish municipality to be awarded the title of European Green Capital.
Vitoria-Gasteiz's vicinity is home to acclaimed wineries such as Ysios, designed by world-renowned architect Santiago Calatrava, and Marqués de Riscal, by Frank Gehry.
And the inevitable plate of pintxos.
Laguardia
Population 1,454
Over half a century has passed since the last time Laguardia hosted La Vuelta. On that occasion, in the 1967 edition, the Alava municipality was the departure of a stage. In 2022, however, it will be the finish-line. Though much has changed since then, its old city centre remains perfectly intact, featuring Medieval outlines with almost one thousand years of history that are of immense touristic value, making it one of Spain’s most beautiful towns. The place lies over a hill and it is surrounded by a wall that the King Sancho the Strong ordered to build. There are still preserved five different entries to access the city. Their names are: Mercadal, Carnicerías (Butchers), Páganos, San Juan and Santa Engracia.
Regarding the economy, its main strength is the wine industry. Indeed, the wine is elaborated and processed in numerous wineries. Laguardia is the capital of one of the most famous wine regions of Spain, Rioja Alavesa. Additionally, both in Laguardia and its surroundings, a wine known as the Denominación de Origen Calificada Rioja which is useful to distinguish particular vines produces in some specific regions.
Cod fish in Riojan tomato sauce
The only fish that was available in Rioja in the past, when the fridges did not exist, was the salty preserved Cod fish. It was cooked with the local ingredients: tomatoes, onions and peppers and this is the recipe passed from generations to generations until today. It is a lovely way to enjoy this fish.
Lamb chops
Lamb chops in Rioja are grilled over vine shoots (what else!) that are pruned in winter and this give the lamb chops a very special and flavourful taste. This is probably the star meal in Rioja. Every house has a barbecue grill to make them.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
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Anyway, Remco and Alaphilippe trying to decide who's leader for stage 4:
@DrHeadgear
The Vikings are coming!
Let the racing commence.
Decent break
Currently, the breakaway has 2'-25" over the bunch.
Another interesting fact, one of two riders in this edition to have previously won a Vuelta stage on August 23rd is.............................Alexey Lutsenko, 5 years ago.
A pity, as it had been quite interesting listening to the three ex pros.