Just 48 hours after the Vuelta a España pro peloton left its mark on the slopes of Almería, amateur riders have the chance to test their own lactate threshold on the exact same stage. The XXII Marcha Ciclodeportiva Las 4 Cimas is more than just another date on the calendar; it is a mirror of the mysticism found in the Sierra de los Filabres, where the asphalt twists and turns toward the sky at Calar Alto.
Velefique and the Shadow of the Pros
The big news this year is the direct link to the Spanish Grand Tour. Participants in the 115-kilometer Gran Fondo will tackle a route that breathes the same air as the queen stage held just two days ago. With 2,850 meters of total elevation gain, the course offers no respite. The Alto de Velefique, named the Cima Rodríguez Magro for the event, stands as the day’s ultimate judge. Its endless hairpins and sustained average gradient will force cyclists to manage their gearing from the very first kilometer to avoid bonking before the finish.
The Invisible Wall of Calar Alto
If Velefique tests the heart, the final ascent to the Observatorio de Calar Alto (Cima Xavi Tondo) is a psychological battle. At over 2,000 meters above sea level, the air thins out and drafting loses its effectiveness against pure gravity. There is nowhere to hide. For those seeking a less grueling day, the 58-kilometer short course allows riders to savor the essence of Gérgal without spending hours in the red zone.
The organization, led by veteran Juan Martínez Oliver, has confirmed that the finish line in Gérgal will close at 16:00. This imposes a demanding minimum pace, especially for those dropped on the initial ramps of the Alto de Castro. It’s not just a sportive; it’s a disguised mountain time trial against the clock and the Almerian heat, which bites hard in the lowlands before the thermal relief of the summits. Registrations have sold out, proving that the hunger for Hors Catégorie climbs remains stronger than ever among the national peloton.