After the flat first phase the route continues at shallow gradients to La Nucia. It’s basically a warm-up for the Col de Rates, which is 14.8 kilometres climb at 4.1%. One could argue the Rates is itself a warm-up climb for the last ascent of the day, the Alto de Bernia with its summit approximately 35 kilometres before the finish in Altea.
The Alto de Bernia is 8.5 kilometres lon and the average gradient sits at 4.3%. The descent also features some flat sections, while a false flat section could serve as a launch pad inside the last 10 kilometres.
Altea lies on the Mediterranean Coast between the cities of Alicante and Valencia.
The first three riders on the line gain time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while the intermediate sprint (MV in underneath profile) comes with 3, 2 and 1 seconds.
Ride the route yourself? Download GPX stage 1 Tour of Valencia 2023.
Another interesting read: results 1st stage 2023 Tour of Valencia.
Tour of Valencia 2023 stage 1: routes, profiles, more
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