This Wednesday will take place at the 66th Vuelta a Andalucía-Ruta del Sol in Alhaurín de la Torre (Málaga). This is a five-stage round that has won the fight for its survival in recent years of deep economic crisis. With the feet on the ground and dependent, in part, on the contributions of other events of the organizer, Deporinter, the Andalusian round is in good health .

The participation is headed by the defender of last year's title, the Danish Jakob Fuglsang , who has also survived an unpleasant episode related to doping: a 'ghost' report from the independent agency created by the UCI that recounted his meetings with the doctor Michele Ferrari , disabled for life for his prohibited activities. Filtered to two media in Denmark this month, the UCI decreed the folder to the investigation. With him, in the Astana, runs Ion Izagirre , who rarely misses the Sun Route.

Two other pairs of runners stand out as likely candidates for the final win, on Sunday in Mijas . In the Movistar Team they appear their two leaders for this year, Enric Mas , the stellar signing of the season, and Marc Soler , who premiered in the Challenge Mallorca the victory counter of the 'telephone'. In the McLaren Bahrain Mikel Landa debuts, along with his powerful partner Pello Bilbao , who premiered the jersey of his new team in the Tour of the Valencian Community.

Notable pedigree cyclists include David de la Cruz (UAE Emirates), Oliver Naesen (Ag2r), Jan Bakelants (Circus Wanty), Brian Coquard (B&B Vital Concept) or Niki Terpstra (Total Energie). Among the 21 teams in competition are the Spanish Movistar, Burgos BH, Euskadi, Caja Rural, Kern Pharma and Kometa .

The tour promises. Every day there are difficulties, starting with the first one ( Alhaurín-Grazalema, 174 km ), with five ports, the last 12 km at 6%, Las Palomas, six kilometers from the hillside goal of the town of Cadiz.

On Thursday, from Seville to Iznajar , 199 kilometers will be traveled. It is the longest stage but also the one that least difficulties opposes a massive arrival, in a final stretch in slight ascent.

The legs are already prepared for the queen stage between Jaén and Úbeda , which is developed by the Sierra Mpage for almost all of its 176 kilometers. Constant goes up and down, with first-class ascents in Solera and Mágina, but the ascent to Baeza (2nd) just 14 kilometers from the monumental and historic city of Úbeda will be, perhaps, more transcendent in the result.

The stop of the Purche will be the judge of the fourth stage , which will take from Villanueva Mesía to Granada in just 126 kilometers. It is crowned 17 km from the finish line, which proposes a nice chase in the descent and in the streets of the Nasrid capital.

On Sunday, the end of the party promises excitement or even overturns in a 13km individual time trial in Mijas, which is not flat.

The race can be followed live by Eurosport, which will also offer the Tour of the Algarve , which will take place on the same dates of the Andalusian round and will feature Vincenzo Nibali's debut with Trek Segafredo. And Remco Evenepoel (Deceuninck Quick Step) is announced.

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