Taking place last weekend across 3 days the Vuelta a Ibiza 2014 was a fantastic event with great weather, tough riding and superb organisation. After experiencing first hand the event and riding all 3 stages there is no doubt Velo Club Ibiza will be offering accommodation and entry packages for the 2015 event, which takes place on the 5,6 and 7th of December 2015 so pencil it in the diary now!
This years special guest rider was the lovely David Lopez from Team Sky. Here he is with team VCI!
The Vuelta Ibiza was held across 3 stages, the first and last being paced tours of the island with a chipped time trial section halfway through each stage, this is where you get to leave everything on the road as you try and get the best time between the 2 timing stations. The format works really well and offers that little bit more competition (for those that want it!) than the “Sportive” format so popular in the UK. The roads are totally closed by the Gurda Civil for the peloton to move through the island with no fear of traffic.
Riders gather in San Antonio for the start of Day 1
Stage one was a 75k tour of the west coast beginning in San Antonio marina and finishing in Ibiza town the time trial section was 4k climb up into the Benimussa countryside coming in from the west coast.
Riders head into Ibiza town at the end of Day 1
The 2nd stage incorporates the stand alone event the Cursa De S’Indoit (The race of the Turkey) the winner of which receives a live turkey as the prize.
For those that want to compete the “competitivo” race is a flat out 42km dash out from Ibiza town up to Santa Eularia across to San Carlos then back down at breakneck speeds into Ibiza Town and the finish along the port front. This years race broke all records pace wise and my Strava time is slightly off as my average was 43kph for the 42km. There are of course more sedate groups for all levels.
Stage 3 Picked up where stage 1 and 2 finished beginning in Ibiza town and hugging the east coast right up to Cala San Vicent where the 200 strong group headed along the north coast via the beautiful but painful 6km climb into San Joan which was to be todays time trial section after a food stop in San Joan the peloton then made for the finish in San Antonio via the numerous 3rand 4th category climbs out of Portinatx, San Miquel and Santa Agnes.
VC Ibiza provided the bikes for Team Project Trust’s 100k Charity Ride on Day 3
Day 3 – Riders climb out of Cala Mestalla on the east coast
Heading toward the rather brutal ramps out of Benirras to Port De San Miquel
The event was rounded off with a rather fantastic BBQ and presentations for the numerous prize categories winners!
The BBQ at the finish on Day 3
Ibiza resident and Master 40 Category 7th place Mr Leigh Adamson enjoys his recovery meal
Congrats to all the category winners! Viva la Vuelta
Full Results of the event can be found on the Elitechip.net website here
