Tuesday, February 1, the 74th edition of the Valencian Community Tour opens the ball. This is therefore an opportunity to recall the history of this race., the profile of the stages and to name the contenders for the final victory.
History of the event :
Le Valencian Community Tour sees the light of day 6 November 1929. The test was then titled the Levante Tower (“Return to Levante“). The first edition of this race was won by a local runner, name of Salvador Cardona. Besides, For the little story, this runner will emigrate to France after his career and take French nationality in 1954.
During the first years of its history, marked by interruptions (1934-1939 ; 1941 ; 1945-1946 ; 1950-1953), the “Levante Tower” is a second rate race, whose prize list is mainly occupied by Spanish runners. From the years 1950, the race evolves and takes on a new dimension.
From 1955, the race takes place at the beginning of March instead of October. Three years later, the Belgian Hilaire Couvreur becomes the first non-Spanish rider to win this race. Since this decade, the race is opening up more and more to foreign runners. In 1969, Eddy Merckx comes to impose himself here, four months before his first Tour de France.
During years 1980, the test is transformed. She changes her name several times (Tour of the Valencia region in 1979 ; Tour of the Three Provinces in 1980-1983), before finding its current name in 1984. From now on, this race will be called the “Valencian Community Tour”. Good climbers to help Pinot win the Tour de France, Bruno Cornillet becomes the first French winner of the event.
Since then, the Valencian Community Tour becomes an attractive and very tough race. Here, the best runners in the world prepare for their season in the sun of the Costa Blanca, to avoid the northern European cold. Legendary runners like Bernard Hinault (in 1986), Stephen Roche (1987), Alex Zülle (1995, 2002), Laurent Jalabert (1996) or even Alexandre Vinokourov (1999) registered on the winners list for this race.
After another interruption between 2009 and 2015, the Tour of the Valencian Community reappears. Now organized at the beginning of February, this race loses none of its appeal. Runners, comme Tadej Pogačar (2020) or the defending champion Aleksandr Vlasov have been on the list since.
The profile of the stages
1first stage
Le Valencian Community Tour begins with this step of 188 kilometers, between Orihuela and Altea. This day could be the only opportunity for sprinters to shine. However, the significant positive altitude difference (more 2000 meters) and the presence of two ascents (Port de Rates and Bernia) should make it complicated for the kings of speed. Certainly, the slopes will only be around the 6% but can sufficiently wear out sprinters.
In short, an unpredictable stage where an arrival as an adventurer is as plausible as an arrival by large committee.
2th step
Unlike the 1st step, the next step has a simple exit : a strong man will prevail. Long 178 kilometers, step, who part of Novelda, will wear out the runners who must complete seven categorized climbs.
In the end, runners must climb the Alto de Pinos, a climb that has three sections : the first section is long 2 kilometers more than 5%, then a second section, which is a flat area of six kilometers, before a final bump 3 kilometers to 7% that he ran on a traditional bicycle, including a move to more than 10 %.
On this step, a puncher climber must win, whether he comes from the breakaway or the peloton of favorites. We can for example think of the Spaniard Pello Bilbao or Aleksandr Vlasov, title holder of the event and very good puncher.
3th step
After a decisive second day for the general classification, the next one could be just as much. After 80 first easy kilometers, the runners will climb two climbs on the program. The first one, that of’Oronet is long 4,4 kilometers with an average percentage of 4,7%. The second ascent, that of El Garbi, is on the other hand much harder. Long 4,6 kilometers, it presents a very difficult start, with 2,3 kilometers to 11%, before a flat spot then 600 last meters almost 6%.
This climb could eliminate the sprinters automatically for victory and could even reshuffle the cards in the general classification. After passing the summit located at 28,5 kilometers from the finish, the runners will go down to Sagunto, who welcomes the arrival.
On this step, a massive arrival is unthinkable. Complete runners, as Matej Mohorič ou Fred Wright, good sprinters and not bad climbers, can win on this stage profile. It can also happen that a group of adventurers makes it to the end.
4th step
The penultimate step, long 182 kilometers, will be the scene of a new clash between strong men. With over 3600 meters of altitude difference and five climbs on the program, this is probably the queen stage of the race. The 4th stage presents a summit finish, with the Alto de Cova Santa. The final climb of the day is 8,1 kilometers almost 5%. The last three kilometers will be tough, around 7%.
5th step
Le Valencian Community Tour will conclude with a short stage of 95 kilometers between Paterna and Valencia. A final day which could lead to a clash between sprinters but nothing is less certain, Because : before the 50 last kilometers of descent and flat to Valencia, runners must climb the Frontera climb.
Long 5,2 kilometers to 9%, including one kilometer 11%, this climb could thin the peloton of some sprinters with little resistance in the mountains.
The favorites in the general classification : who will win in Valencia ?
There is one thing that is sure, it is that Aleksandr Vlasov is the big favorite for his own succession. The BORA rider – Hansgrohe can achieve the first double since the Spaniard Melchor Mauri, in 1992 and 1993. The finishes at the top of the second and fourth stages correspond well to the qualities of the Russian, who is one of the best puncher-climbers in the world.
Face à Vlasov, three teams appear above the fray : la formation INEOS Grenadiers, with the Spanish champion Carlos Rodriguez and his young recruit Thymen Arensman, seems well armed. Same observation for UAE Team Emirates, who counts in this Valencian Community Tour Diego Ulysses, Brandon McNulty, Marc Soler or Rafal Majka.
The most impressive team on paper appears to be Bahrain – Victorious. Milan Erzen’s formation brought out the heavy artillery, with the presence of Landa, Pools, Caruso, Mohorič et Pello Bilbao. This last, good puncher climber, can compete with Vlasov for final victory.
Apart from these three teams, la Trek – Segafredo is also well represented, with the presence of Bauke Mollema and Giulio Ciccone, who wants to catch up after a season 2022 complicated.
Le pronostic :
Aleksandr Vlasov.
Pello Bilbao, Carlos Rodriguez, Brandon McNulty.
Thymen Arensman, Mikel Landa, Marc Soler, Wout Poels, Diego Ulysses.
Damian Caruso, Tao Geoghegan Hart, Giulio Ciccone, Rafal Majka, Matej Mohorič, Bauke Mollema, Bob Jungels, Rui Costa.
David de la Cruz, Anthon Charming, Eddie Dunbar, Luis Leon Sanchez, Alex Aranburu, Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier, Lennard Kämna, Kenny Elissonde, Samuele Battistella, Gonzalo Serrano.
