In early January, this race lights up Argentina’s San Juan Province up in this country´s dry northwest, a four-hour flight from Buenos Aires. There are seven stages totaling around a thousand kilometers (621 mi.) of competition at the foot of the Andes. Though the race’s status on the calendar of the UCI (international cycling´s governing body) has varied, it remains a beloved fixture of Southern Hemisphere summer that draws international teams to early-season racing beneath high mountain horizons.
Spectators can enjoy rides through arid valleys, vineyard vistas where Torrontés and Malbec flourish, and day trips to the UNESCO World Heritage Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon, officially Ischigualasto Provincial Park, pictured here) with its surreal rock formations. San Juan’s culinary scene features rich empanadas, grilled meats and verduras asadas (roasted vegetables), making race villages lively spots to mix local culture with the sport.
Read more in my post 6 of the World´s Most Atmospheric Cycling Races for Traveling Fans.
Comments