Tour of Burgos kicks off Monday

By AFP

Spaniards Francisco Mancebo (iBanesto.com), Aitor Gonzalez (ONCE), Oscar Sevilla (Kelme), Angel Casero (Bianchi), Roberto Heras (U.S. Postal) and Swiss Alex Zulle (Phonak) are among the racers using the 25th annual Tour of Burgos as a tune-up for the Vuelta a España, September 6-28.

Eighteen teams will take the start on Monday for 670km of racing over five stages. Like much of the rest of Europe, Castille is suffering through a heat wave, with temperatures topping 100 degrees – which will not make the climbing on Tuesday and Wednesday any more pleasant. Tuesday’s 169km run from Briviesca to Altotero includes a category-1 climb, while Wednesday’s 162km stage from Huerta del Rey to Lagunas de Neila features a beyond-category ascent. –Copyright 2003/AFP

Teams
Kelme
Ibanesto.com
ONCE
Labarca
Euskaltel-Euskadi
Relax Fuenlabrada
Costa Almeria Paternini
Vini Caldirola
Fassa Bortolo
Domina Vacanze
Saeco
Bianchi
Telekom
Marilux
Vlaanderen
Cofidis
Phonak
US Postal

Stages
1 – Monday: Burgos-Miranda de Ebro (175 km)
2 – Tuesday: Briviesca-Altotero (169 km)
3 – Wednesday: Huerta del Rey-Lagunas de Neila (162 km)
4 – Thursday: Medina de Pomar-Medina de Pomar (individual time trial, 14.4 km)
5 – Friday: Aranda de Duero-Burgos (150 km)

FILED UNDER: Road