Preview of La Vuelta Femenina: Vollering to defend title, Ferrand-Prévot's Grand Tour return, and an enticing Team Time Trial
**La Vuelta Femenina 2023: A Showdown in Spain**
Prepare for an exhilarating week of cycling as the third edition of La Vuelta Femenina takes place from Sunday 4th to Saturday 10th May in Spain. This year's race, like its previous editions, promises a thrilling competition among some of the world's best female cyclists.
The race, which covers the northern part of the country, passes through Catalunya, Aragon, Castile and León, and finishes in Asturias. The women's Vuelta a España, or La Vuelta Femenina, consists of seven stages this year, following a one-year stint as an eight-stage race.
One of the standout climbs in this year's race is the Alto de Cotobello, the longest climb ever raced at the Vuelta Femenina, with an elevation of 800m in under 10km. Stage seven, which features the Alto de Cotobello, is also the longest day ever raced at the Vuelta Femenina. With an average gradient of 8% and ramps up to 10%, this 9.8km climb is expected to decide the winner of La Vuelta Femenina due to its difficulty.
Several top teams and riders are expected to compete for the red jersey. Among them are the defending champion, Demi Vollering, who will be competing in La Vuelta Femenina with a new team, FDJ-Suez. Vollering, who has already won a Spanish stage race this season, Valenciana, is a strong contender for the title. Other notable riders include Kasia Niewiadoma, Marianne Vos, and Liane Lippert, who finished fifth overall at Valenciana earlier this year and could make an impact on the harder days of La Vuelta Femenina.
The race begins with a team time trial in Barcelona, covering 8km. Other stages include flat and hilly routes, as well as mountainous stages that will test the riders' endurance and climbing skills.
In addition to Vollering, other top contenders for the title include Elisa Longo Borghini, a consistent podium threat and winner of major stage races, and Lotte Kopecky, a promising rider from Team SD Worx-Protime. The team also features Demi Vollering, who is expected to be a strong contender for the title.
The race can be watched on TNT Sports in the UK and Ireland, accessible via a TV package or a Discovery+ subscription. Fans can also follow the race online through various cycling websites and social media platforms.
In conclusion, La Vuelta Femenina 2023 promises to be an exciting event, with some of the world's best female cyclists competing for the title. The race's challenging terrain and tough climbs will test the riders' endurance and climbing skills, making for an unforgettable week of cycling. Don't miss out on the action!
Spectators can look forward to an exciting week of sports, as the third edition of La Vuelta Femenina showcases the talents of some of the world's best female cyclists. The race, renowned for its challenging terrain and tough climbs, promises to test the riders' endurance and climbing skills, making for an unforgettable week of sports.
