On 12 February, the 42nd Tour of the Region of Murcia – Costa Cálida – Grand Prix Banco Sabadell will take place. This year, the race goes back to its original dates and will be done in a single stage covering 189 kilometres, featuring three rolling goals in Murcia, Mazarrón, and Cartagena, along with three categorized mountain passes: Cresta del Gallo (Category 3), Collado Bermejo – Marco Pantani Summit (Special Category), and Alto del Cedacero (Category 3).
The municipality of Fortuna will be the starting point for the #TourRegionOfMurcia22, with the port city of Cartagena as the finish line.
The race will feature 21 teams with international and national cyclists, including prominent professional cyclist Alejandro Valverde, who will aim for his sixth victory in this event during his final season as a professional. This race offers Valverde a chance to bid farewell to his home fans.
Below are the details of the route for the @VueltaRM Costa Cálida – GP @BancoSabadell 2022:
Fortuna was chosen for its significance as a key cycling area in the Region of Murcia, with a rich tradition in the sport and numerous cycling events.
The race starts at 1:00 PM in Fortuna, with the initial kilometres providing ideal conditions for a breakaway. The terrain, featuring continuous ups and downs, leads riders to Murcia, where the first rolling goal will be contested at Puente de los Peligros.
After passing through Los Dolores and San José de la Montaña, the first categorized climb will be the Cresta del Gallo.
The fast descent from Cresta takes the riders to El Palmar, then to Alhama de Murcia, where they enter Sierra Espuña. After a stretch of ascent, the Gebas area marks the beginning of the climb to Collado Bermejo, also known as Marco Pantani Summit (Special Category).
The next section is a flat stretch that allows riders who struggled in the mountains to rejoin the peloton.
The second rolling goal will be in Mazarrón, followed by the final ascent.
The ramps of Alto del Cedacero, classified as Category 3, are critical for those riders aiming for a win outside of a bunch sprint.
The rapid descent brings the race to Cartagena, about 8 kilometres from the finish. Passing through Media Sala, the route heads toward the sea along Avenidas Juan Carlos I, Colón, Alameda de San Antón, Plaza de España, and Calle Real. The finish line will be located on Paseo Alfonso XII in Cartagena, an ideal spot for a potential sprint finish.
The lap can be watched on Eurosport, with a 2-hour-long broadcast, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. In addition, the regional television will allow all the citizens of the region to follow this international event live.
