The I Vuelta Ciclista Castilla-La Mancha Leader, which will take place from August 20th to August 24th in the region, will pass through some municipalities in the Sierra del Segura region. This sports initiative is the result of a regional cooperation project involving a total of 13 Rural Development Groups from Castilla-La Mancha, including the Sierra del Segura Local Action Group, with the collaboration of Recamder.
The objective of this initiative, developed under the motto ‘Promoting the rural environment on wheels’, is to showcase rural territories, boost their economy, and promote Castilla-La Mancha as a tourist and sports destination.
Likewise, it aims to become a benchmark in competitive cycling, especially in the elite, under-23, and women’s categories, as reported by the Sierra del Segura Group in a press release.
The Vuelta Ciclista Castilla-La Mancha Leader is structured into five stages for the elite and under-23 men’s competition, along with two women’s stages during the last two days. The route will allow participants to discover the scenic, heritage, and cultural richness of the region.
The race will pass through the municipalities of Albatana, Santiago de Mora, Cordovilla, Hellín, Isso, Elche de la Sierra, Aldea de Pinilla, Fuente Higuera, El Pardal, Aldea de Mesones, El Laminador, Riópar, El Noguerón, Puerto del Batan, Masegosillo, Cortijo de Tortas, and Vianos.
The second stage, scheduled for August 21st, will start in El Bonillo and finish in Castellar de Santiago. It will go through the municipalities of Sotuélamos, Ossa de Montiel, Ruidera, Carrizosa, Villanueva de los Infantes, Cozar, and Torre de Juan Abad.
The third stage, taking place on August 22nd, will begin in Pozuelo de Calatrava and end in Campo de Criptana. It will pass through the municipalities of Torralba de Calatrava, Daimiel, Villarrubia de los Ojos, Urda, Consuegra, Madridejos, Villafranca de los Caballeros, Quero, and Miguel Esteban.
The fourth stage, on August 23rd, will start from Pedro Muñoz and finish in Uclés. It will go through the municipalities of Mota del Cuervo, Belmonte, Rada de Haro, Carrascosa de Haro, Villar de la Encina, Villalgordo del Marquesado, Alconchel de la Estrella, Villarejo de las Fuentes, Almonacid del Marquesado, Almendros, and Villarrubio.
Finally, the fifth stage, on August 24th, will start in Mariana and end in Molina de Aragón. It will pass through the municipalities of Sotos, Collados, Torrecilla, Villasecas, Collado de San Acacio, Ribagorda, La Frontera, Cañamares, Cañizares, Puente de Vadillos, Beteta, Cueva del Hierro, Poveda de la Sierra, Taravilla, and Valsalobre.
Federico Moreno, president of Sierra del Segura, stated, «This project will showcase the attractiveness of our region and promote a sustainable cycling culture in rural areas.»
He emphasized that Sierra del Segura is a very complete tourist destination with enormous potential for sports tourism, which is what they aim to showcase with this initiative, providing extra promotion to the region and its villages.
The I Vuelta Ciclista Castilla-La Mancha Leader will cross the five provinces of Castilla-La Mancha and the territories of the 13 Local Action Groups involved, covering over 70 municipalities and generating a direct impact on rural development, sports promotion, and tourism.
The Castilla-La Mancha Cycling Federation is responsible for organizing the event, bringing its experience in technical coordination, logistics, and federation of the regional cycling calendar.
The project, coordinated by the ADR Molina de Aragón-Alto Tajo Rural Development Group, is funded through the extraordinary reprogramming of the remnants from the Leader 2014/2022 programming, co-financed by the European Union, the Castilla-La Mancha Regional Government, and the General State Administration.