Spain

Costa Blanca

Where the pros spend their winters.

Dénia, Calp and the mountains behind them: the Marina Alta and Marina Baixa, rebuilt from the Valencian region's laser scans, crop registry and aerial photos. Whitewashed towns and seafront promenades, almond and carob terraces, and the climbs every team rides in January.

km² of country: 1700
routes: 12
km of loops: 901
highest climb: 1,029 m

The best parts

Coll de Rates

The climb of the region: 6.5 km at 5.4 % from Parcent, steady hairpins through pines and terraces to the café at the top. Pogačar did it in 11:57; try your own time.

Calp and the Penyal d'Ifac

Start on the seafront below the rock, with kerbs, zebra crossings and lane marks as they are on the street, then turn inland over La Fustera.

Guadalest and the Port de Tudons

Up the Guadalest valley to Confrides, then the long climb from Sella to Tudons at 1,029 m. The queen stage puts it all in one day: 154 km and 3,100 m.

Cumbre del Sol

The Vuelta's wall above the sea: 4.2 km at 9 %, with ramps of 20 % between the villas, and the Mediterranean behind you.

Behind the mountains

Quiet valleys inland: the Vall de Pop, Castell de Castells and the Vall d'Ebo, with its climb out of Pego. Almost no traffic, and a different view at every bend.