Preview Ruta del Sol 2024 | Ayuso aiming for Pogacar-like performance, but Bahrain Victorious bringing star-studded team

Each year, the cycling calendar has a few races that are as closely related to each other - twin races, if you will. The Tirreno-Adriatico and Paris-Nice, the Dauphiné and the Tour of Switzerland... In February, traditionally, two stage races are scheduled around the same time. In addition to the Tour of the Algarve, the Ruta del Sol is also set to take place from the 14th to the 18th of February. IDLProCycling.com gives you a preview!

Practical information Ruta del Sol 2024

• Wednesday, February 14 - Sunday, February 18, 2023
• Participants
  
• Classification: 2. Pro

Most recent winners Ruta del Sol

2023 Tadej Pogacar
2022 Wout Poels

Ruta del Sol 2024: Course and times

Stage 1, Wednesday, February 14: Almuñécar - Cádiar (162.3 km)

The punchers and climbers are in luck on the first day. Along the way, three climbs will have to be conquered, although it is not entirely clear just how tough these will be. We spot some green zones here and there, marked as sections above 9 percent. In the absolute finale, the course gets steep, and we will be on the lookout for the rider with the best timing and best punch.

Climbs
19.5 km: Puerto de Ítrabo (3.9 kilometers)
59.2 km: Alto de Lanjarón (3.4 kilometers)
104.1 km: Puerto de Trévelez (9.0 kilometers)

Favorites
Mauro Schmid (Jayco-AlUla)
Maxim Van Gils (Lotto-Dstny)
Wout Poels (Bahrain Victorious)

Times
Start: 11:10 AM
Finish: around 3:34 PM

Stage 2, Thursday, February 15: Vélez - Málaga - Alcaudete (192.2 km)

On day two, we will encounter a similar course, though the climbs are significantly tougher. The first is more than seventeen kilometers long, with the last seven kilometers averaging over six percent. This one is not a first category climb for nothing... Throughout the course, we will get to watch the peloton cross two more third category climbs. The climb to the finish in Alcaudete is not categorized, but at 8.5 kilometers with an average gradient of 3.5 percent, it is definitely worth mentioning.

Climbs
34.0 km: Puerto del Sol (17.2 km at 4.9%)
44.6 km: Puerto de Los Alazores (3.6 km at 4.3%)
103.7 km: Alto del Jaramillo (3.0 km at 9.8%)

Favorites
Juan Ayuso (UAE-Team Emirates)
Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious)
Felix Gall (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale)

Times
Start: 11:25 AM
Finish: around 3:29 PM

Stage 3, Friday, February 16: Arjona - Pozoblanco (161.0 km)

If there are any sprinters seeking a win, they must strike here. There are virtually no pure sprinters in Andalusia, so those with a sprint can definitely handle a hill. In the third stage, the riders are tested the least, and the uphill finish in Pozoblanco could well be suited for different types of riders...

Climbs
119.4 km: Puerto del Cardo (12.9 km at 2.2%)

Favorites
Andrea Vendrame (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale)
Max Kanter (Astana Qazaqstan)
Milan Menten (Lotto-Dstny)

Times
Start: 11 AM
Finish: around 3:05 PM

Stage 4, Saturday, February 17: Córdoba - Lucena (166.7 km)

The queen stage! After a relatively calm opening phase, we reach the local circuit after 73 kilometers, where the climb of the Alto de la Primera Cruz will be the main obstacle. 2.2 kilometers at 6.8 percent, four times in a row. The finish is downhill after the last climb, so fasten your seatbelts!

Climbs
92.8 km: Alto de la Primera Cruz (2.2 km at 6.8%)
115.9 km: Alto de la Primera Cruz (2.2 km at 6.8%)
139.0 km: Alto de la Primera Cruz (2.2 km at 6.8%)
162.1 km: Alto de la Primera Cruz (2.2 km at 6.8%)

Favorites
Juan Ayuso (UAE-Team Emirates)
Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious)
Felix Gall (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale)

Times
Start: 11:05 AM
Finish: around 3:14 PM

Stage 5, Sunday, February 18: Benahavís - La Línea de la Concepción (168.0 km)

Did we say that day three might be one for the sprinters? Day five actually might be as well. The problem for the sprinters: in the first hundred kilometers lie two hefty climbs, with also two little bumps in between. Will the peloton kick things into high gear there? Then the sprinters can pack away their ambitions.

Climbs
23.3 km: Puerto del Madroño (20.0 km at 4.8%)
93.9 km: Puerto del Espino (7.6 km at 5.9%)

Favorites
Victor Lafay (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale)
Ruben Guerreiro (Movistar)
Andrea Vendrame (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale)

Times
Start: 10:55 AM
Finish: around 3:13 PM

Favorites general classification Ruta del Sol 2024

Who will succeed Tadej Pogacar? The Slovenian dominated the Ruta del Sol last year, but he is not participating in the race this year. An open battle? Normally, yes. Or will there once again be someone as dominant as him? Purely based on his qualities, Juan Ayuso should be capable of such performances. Will he follow in the footsteps of his teammate at UAE-Team Emirates?

The main challenger might well come from Bahrain Victorious. With Jack Haig, Damiano Caruso, Santiago Buitrago and Wout Poels, the team is bringing a star-studded lineup. For good measure, add Antonio Tiberi to the mix, and let's not forget the young Fran Miholjević, who can also climb quite well. What do you think, who will have the best legs out of this group?

At Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale, Felix Gall is the most interesting name, although at this stage of the season it is never certain if guys like him are already in top form. Victor Lafay is always good in the first months of the year, but can he also handle the tough climbing stages? At Movistar, we look to the Portuguese Ruben Guerreiro. He too can sometimes excel in such races.

Other contenders? Certainly! Jayco-AlUla is bringing Eddie Dunbar and Mauro Schmid, who transferred from Soudal-Quick Step, and at Lotto-Dstny we are curious about Maxim Van Gils. For Astana Qazaqstan, we mainly look towards Lorenzo Fortunato.

Who are the favorites for the general classification of the Tour of the Algarve 2024, according to IDLProCycling.com?

Top favorite: Juan Ayuso (UAE-Team Emirates)
Outsiders: Jack Haig, Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious), Felix Gall (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale)
Long shots: Wout Poels (Bahrain Victorious), Ruben Guerreiro (Movistar), Eddie Dunbar (Jayco-AlUla), Maxim Van Gils (Lotto-Dstny)

Data powered by FirstCycling.com

TV Ruta del Sol 2024

Eurosport will broadcast the race every day, both on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport.com! The live broadcasts start at 2:00 PM and run until 4:00 PM on Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, you can tune in starting from 1:15 PM and during the weekend from 1:30 PM.