Evenepoel, Küng and Valverde to headline Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana

Remco Evenepoel (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl) will headline the five-day Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana in early February, as Stefan Küng (Groupama FDJ) return to defend his title

“I’m happy to be going to Valenciana. I like riding in Spain, the weather and the fans are great, and I had success there as early as my first pro season,” Remco Evenepoel said as QuickStep-AlphaVinyl confirmed his race plans. 

“I can’t wait to get the season started. I had a good winter preparation and I feel more relaxed than last year. I hope to have a solid year, as I look forward to improving, to making more steps in the right direction, and getting some wins here and there.”

Evenepeol’s hopes to target the Vuelta a Espana in the late summer.

Among the participating teams Groupama FDJ with their cyclist Stefan Küng, winner of the general classification in 2021, will be defending his title.

The Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, which takes place February 2nd - 6th, is now the favoured opening 5 day stage race for many pro teams, after the cancellation of the Vuelta a San Juan.

15 World Tour teams are taking part including Alejandro Valverde (Movistar), Vincenzo Nibali (Astana Qazaqstan), Jakob Fuglsang (Israel - Premier Tech), Fabio Jakobsen (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl) and Matej Mohoric (Bahrain Victorious) will be at the start line in the small town of Les Alqueries in northern Valencia, Spain.

The following WorldTour teams are taking part: Groupama FDJ (FRA), Ineos Grenadiers (GBR), DSM Team (NED), Jumbo Visma (NED), Israel Start-Up Nation (ISR), AG2R Citroen (FRA), Bahrain Victorious (BHR), Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team (BEL), Intermarché-Wanty (BEL), Astana Kazakhstan (KAZ), Team Bikeexchange (AUS), Movistar Team (ESP), UAE Emirates (UAE), Trek-Segafredo (USA) and Bora-Hansgrohe (GER).

The Tour of Valencia kicks off with a medium mountain route on stage 1. A demanding climb with its peak inside the last 3 kilometres is probably going to play a pivotal role.

The 2nd stage of the Tour of Valencia takes the riders from Bétera to Torrent. The route is 172.1 kilometres long and hilly.

The Queen Stage of the Tour of Valencia amounts to 156 kilometres. After the start in Alicante the riders face five ascents before finishing on top of the partly unpaved and excessively steep finish climb in the Sierra del Maigmó.

Stage 4 at the Tour of Valencia looks promising for the Sprinters. Although the distance between Orihuela and Torrevieja is merely 33 kilometres, the race adds up to 193 kilometres.

The route of the last stage is virtually flat, which was also the case in recent editions. Arnaud Démare won last year’s Paterna-Valencia stage to succeed Fabio Jakobsen (2020) and Dylan Groenewegen (2019).

In his last season as a professional, Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) will be taking part, he has won the race three times.