La Vuelta 2024:- Stage 5:Fuente del Maestre – Seville, 177km ***Spoilers***

blazing_saddles

Stage 5:Fuente del Maestre – Seville, 177km

Wednesday 21st August,

Start Time: 12-25BST.

Another clear opportunity for the peloton’s fastest riders. The first part of the stage will be more rugged before heading down towards Seville, with a finale that is expected to result in a mass sprint to the finish-line along the Andalusian capital’s avenues. So, the organisers have dedicated this one day to the sprinters, so they better not waste the opportunity. The race sets off from Fuente del Maestre in Extremadura to finish Andalucia. The route adds up to 177 kilometres. The 5th stage of the Vuelta features almost 1,700 meters of climbing in the first 125 kilometers. It’s been fourteen years since La Vuelta’s last visit to the largest city of Andalucia. Seville hosted the Gran Salida in 2010 with a night time team time trial. Team HTC–Columbia took the win and Mark Cavendish was the first man in red in that edition.

Profile.

Map.

Final Kilometres.

Once the riders climb out of the Rivera de Huelva valley on a 3.3 kilometres incline at 5.8%, the climbing is done. They descend for 20 kilometres to the plains to the north of Seville, and then it’s all about the sprint that will take place 30 kilometres later on the wide Paseo de Colón in Seville.

What to Expect.

This is the most sprinter friendly stage of the entire race, so expect any breakaway to be put on a short leash and a bunch sprint to be next to a certainty.

Fuente del Maestre

Fuente del Maestre makes its debut hosting a La Vuelta stage departure.

6,659 inhabitants.

The town is named after a fountain within the municipality. The Fuente del Corro, which is square and made out of marble, is a must-see. Another is the grand mosaic that covers the entirety of the central Plaza de España floorspace, created last century. The only crop to be found in the area are grapes, as this is a wine growing area.

Fuente del Maestre will be in charge of bidding farewell to La Vuelta in this part of Extremadura.

Chorizo Ibérico de Bellota

Chorizo Ibérico de Bellota is a distinguished and high-quality chorizo from Spain, celebrated for its superior flavor and quality. This exquisite chorizo is made from the meat of Ibérico pigs, a special breed native to the Iberian Peninsula. These pigs are distinct in breed and diet, as the "de Bellota" label signifies that they are free-range and primarily feed on acorns during the montanera season (beginning of October to the middle of March when acorns fall from the oak trees). This acorn diet imparts a rich, nutty flavor to the meat

Seville

Seville has already hosted 12 La Vuelta finish-lines.

681,998 inhabitants

Seville was founded as the Roman city of Hispalis. Known as Ishbiliyah after the Islamic conquest. Owing to its role as gateway of the Spanish Empire's trans-atlantic trade. Seville became one of the largest cities in Western Europe in the 16th century. Seville will, once again, host a La Vuelta finish-line 14 years after it last did so. Back in 2010, the Sevillian capital hosted the race’s Grand Departure with a spectacular and truly unforgettable team time trial held at night.

Espinacas con garbanzos.

Espinacas con garbanzos is a nutritious Andalusian dish made with spinach and chickpeas as the main ingredients. There are many recipes and version of this vegetarian dish, but it is most commonly flavored with garlic, olive oil, tomatoes, paprika, vinegar, and cumin.

Pringá

Pringá is a traditional Spanish dish with Andalusian origins. It consists of cured sausages (morcilla, chorizo), roast pork or roast beef, and either pork or beef fat. The meat is cooked slowly for a long time until the meat starts to fall apart easily. Pringá can be served in different ways – as pieces of meat on a plate, eaten without cutlery by combining the meat with pieces of bread (pringando), or as a tapa, where the meat is tucked inside bread rolls as a small sandwich. 

mididoctors

Slow cooked peloton

mididoctors

85k 3 min

blazing_saddles

https://forum.bikeradar.com/discussion/comment/21092041#Comment_21092041

This stage is a bit of an old broiler.

43C in Seville and 34kph on the road.

Good to see the UCI’s extreme weather protocol in action.

blazing_saddles

Looking ahead, it’s forecast that Andalucia will see peak temperatures over the weekend. (Several degrees warmer than today)

Cordoba already has an extreme heat warning in force and by the time the race gets there, it’s even worse.

mididoctors

It's crazy

blazing_saddles

Rob Hatch is joining the Vuelta on the weekend.

Not all bad news then.

blazing_saddles

Crash. Doull brings down his team mate, Rui Costa.

Looks as if the Portuguese champ’s race is over.

gethinceri

Shame.

Utterly tedious stage.

Win for Bittner.

Pross

Has this director ever even watched a bike race before? I have some sympathy with Kirby having to call a finish with the camera angles and switching to a long shot as the riders hit the line.

Bittner gets the win.

blazing_saddles

WVA’s rear wheel seemed to hit a bump and leave the tarmac. So he lost a bit of traction for a second and that was enough to seal the deal for Bittner.

gsk82

Who the hell is Bittner?

wakemalcolm

https://forum.bikeradar.com/discussion/comment/21092071#Comment_21092071

Won 2 stages of Burgos and the points jersey last week. Not sure on the status of his DSM handcuffs.

dabber

Anyway... I like the Matt and Nathan pairing in the Breakaway.

blazing_saddles

https://forum.bikeradar.com/discussion/comment/21092076#Comment_21092076

Another half an hour of Vuelta talk, with very little to talk about.

dabber

https://forum.bikeradar.com/discussion/comment/21092087#Comment_21092087

Yes, I agree with that but at least they talk sensibly which is a bonus for "The Breakaway".

andyrac

https://forum.bikeradar.com/discussion/comment/21092076#Comment_21092076

Yeah, I've been impressed with Nathan since he first appeared in Strade Bianchi (I think); Matt is a huge enthusiast, who backs it up with knowledge - I prefer both to Blythe, who is best in small doses, and too often 'wings it'.