Tour of Murcia cycle race in many parts of the Region on Friday and Saturday

A bonus for sports fans but beware road closures as the race passes through!

Cycling’s Tour of Murcia event takes place this year on Friday 13^th and Saturday 14^th February, with two stages of 175 and 178 km taking riders to a wide range of towns and cities as they compete for podium places, stage wins, mountain jerseys and the team prize.

The first stage begins on Friday at 11.30 at the port/marina in Cartagena but after the processional ride through the city racing actually starts 15 minutes later in the outskirts. The route then passes through La Palma, La Puebla, Los Alcázares (just after 12.00), Santiago de la Ribera, San Javier, Santomera, Fortuna, El Algarrobo, Torre del Rico, and Jumilla before ending at approximately 16.00 in Yecla, in the north of the Region.

After a coach ride back to the regional capital and a good night’s rest, the Saturday stage begins in the city of Murcia at 11.00 before racing starts on the old road to Mazarrón. Riders then pass through Sangonera, El Cañarico, Casas Nuevas, Los Ventorrillos, and Alhama de Murcia (approximately 12.00), where there is a sprint, then climb up into the mountains of Sierra Espuña for the toughest climb of the event, up to the Alto Collado Bermejo (at 1,568 metres above sea level). From there they descend through El Berro to Pliego, Mula, Fuente Librilla, Alcantarilla and back to Murcia, only to head up into the hills again for the climb of the Cresta del Gallo in the Regional Park of El Valle. Then it’s on to Santomera, where the race is expected to finish at approximately 15.30.

That means those in many parts of the Region can get outside and watch some of the top riders in the world passing through, including Britain’s Tom Pidcock and Louis Sutton!

At the same time, of course, the route of the race means road closures in the towns where the riders pass through, so be aware of possible disruption for a while – you can consult the race schedules online here.

Image: www.vueltamurcia.es

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