THE FIRST OF MANY
SETMANA CICLISTA VALENCIANA 18-21 February | Spain | 2.2
For evidence of where women’s cycling is thriving, look to to Spain: home to five new races in the last four years. The one-day VC Feminas launched in 2019; Vuelta VCV Castellon, Itzulia Women’s Race and Vuelta a Burgos all make their debuts later this spring; while even Ceratizit Challenge by La Vuelta (dating back to 2015) has expanded to three stages in the last 12 months. But it’s Setmana Ciclista Valenciana, which started in 2017, that has led the way, quite literally, taking the honour of being the first European stage race on the calendar the last four years. Typically splitting sprint stages with rolling, hilly terrain to suit climbers, the four-stage race traverses the country’s south east coastline. Annemiek van Vleuten has already confirmed she’ll be starting this year for the first time, a move, no doubt, nudged by her new Spanish team Movistar.