Setting out a timetable which would see the Vuelta a España return to the Canary Islands in 2013, the government of the islands and Unipublic, the organisers of the Spanish Grand Tour, have definitely put off the possibility that the race could head there next year.
Due to logistical difficulties, an earlier hosting of the race has been deemed impossible for 2012. The race has visited the islands on one other occasion, with the first three days of the race being held there in 1988. The stage winners were on that occasion were Ettore Pastorelli, Iñaki Gastón and BH Sport, who were first to the line in the 17.4 kilometre Santa Cruz de Tenerife time trial, a 210 kilometre road race to the same finish and a 34 kilometre team time trial in Las Palmas.
The time on the islands handed Laudelino Cubino a race leader’s jersey which he held until the end of stage 14. Ireland’s Sean Kelly went on to take the final overall classification, with the success marking the sole Grand Tour win of his career.
According to Laopinion.es, two months of negotiations began on August 2nd and more details have now emerged of the plans. The aim will be to hold four stages on the islands, with two in Gran Canaria and two in Tenerife. The first of those would include a battle on the Pico de las Nieves climb, while the second would take the riders up the ascent of Teide.
Because of the logistics of transport, it was previously declared that a trip to the islands would happen either at the start or at the end of the Vuelta. More recently, it appears the latter would be the case, although it remains to be seen if the organisers would still try to host the final day in Madrid.
Earlier this year Vuelta director Javier Guillén said that the race had decided not to pursue a start in the USA, although he didn’t rule it out from happening at some future point. “Before going to New York, I would prefer to do it [have the race] on the Balearic or the Canary Islands,” he told Europa Press. “We’d love to climb Teide. I see it as more feasible than going to New York, but the jump to the Canary Islands is also complicated because it would have to be done at the end of the Vuelta.”
Next year’s edition will begin in Pamplona, but little more is known at this point. In contrast, the route of the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia were apparently leaked yesterday.