La Vuelta 2024:-Stage 6: Jerez de la Frontera – Yunquera, 185.5km ***Spoilers***

Stage 6: Jerez de la Frontera – Yunquera, 185.5km

Thursday 22nd August.

Start Time: 11-40BST.

The 6th stage of the Vuelta a España takes place on a route between Jerez de la Frontera and Yunquera. French supermarket Carrefour will host the start of the stage inside one of their stores in Jerez. The riders travel through the scorching interior of Andalusia on the sixth day of La Vuelta. There is no shade, both literally and figuratively. The route features approximately 3,700 metres of climbing, over five ascents. Jerez de la Frontera is 110 kilometres to the northwest of Gibraltar, in the deep south of Spain. It has been awhile since La Vuelta last visited the place. Eleuterio Anguito (1997), Nicola Minali (1996) and Djamolodine Abdoesjaparov (1992) – they all sprinted to victory in Jerez de la Frontera. Yunquera never before hosted a Vuelta stage. In fact, it’s the first ever visit of a pro-peloton in the village in the Sierra de la Nieves.

Profile.

Map.

The Climbs.

Final Kilometres.

There are still 25.5 kilometers to go upon cresting the Puerto Martinez. Three roughly equal parts make up this final section. Firstly the descent, secondly a rolling section on the valley floor, and lastly the final haul up to Yunquera. The finishing climb is 8.9 kilometers long and the average gradient sits at 3.9%.

What to Expect.

If the breakaway has not yet formed as the riders tackle the Puerto del Boyar at kilometre 59, odds are that a strong one will form on this climb. It should have the potential to go all the way.

Jerez de la Frontera

Jerez de la Frontera has already hosted 14 La Vuelta stage departures.

212,730 inhabitants

Jerez de la Frontera, usually called Jerez, is a city in southern Spain's Andalusia region. Its old quarter surrounds the Alcázar de Jerez, a Moorish fortress founded in the 11th century. The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art is a famed riding school with horse shows and a carriage museum. Much like Seville, the last time that Jerez de la Frontera hosted La Vuelta, it did so by hosting the race’s Grand Departure in 2014. Jerez de la Frontera is, without a doubt, one of the world’s greatest wine capitals. Jerez wine region produces Sherry fortified wines made from white grapes that are produced exclusively in this region. Sherry wines are produced in a wide range of styles. The city is also known for flamenco music.

Sherry

Sherry is a fortified white wine from Andalusia. It comes in a variety of styles, from light dry wines to complex and aromatic sweet varieties. They are mostly produced from Palomino grape, though sweet sherry wines also employ Pedro Ximénez and Moscatel grapes. Depending on the amount of alcohol and the type of aging, dry sherry wines, or vinos generosos, are classified into five basic styles: Fino, Manzanilla, Amontillado, Oloroso, and Palo Cortado.

Sweet sherry wines, known as vinos generosos de licoror, are typically blends of dry sherry and naturally sweet wines, though some varieties also blend it with grape must. The basic categories of sweet sherry include Medium, Pale Cream, and Cream.

It should be noted that the authentic sherry is made only in the Jerez region and must be labeled as Jerez-Xérès-Sherry.

Tocino de cielo

Tocino de cielo is a traditional Spanish dessert that originated in the monasteries of Jerez de la Frontera and Montilla-Moriles in the 19th century. The dessert is made with water, sugar, and eggs, while the caramel part is made with only sugar and water. The beaten eggs are combined with warm sugar syrup, then poured into the caramel-coated molds and baked until the custard has set. When done, the dessert is chilled in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight. Tocino de cielo is served turned upside down, with all of the caramel sauce drizzling out underneath

Yunquera

Jerez de la Frontera has already hosted 14 La Vuelta stage departures.

212,730 inhabitants

At the foot of the Sierra de las Nieves National Park, in the Province of Málaga, is the white village of Yunquera that serves as an entrance to the characteristic fir forests that cover the area’s landscape. The wealth of these fir forests can be enjoyed through the various trails that allow visitors to discover the National Park’s fauna, flora and geological formations thanks to its multiple lookouts.