Stage 6: Vuelta a Espana in Xativa

On a weekend when La Liga is not playing due to World Cup qualifying matches, the perfect distraction is to have the Vuelta a Espana (Tour of Spain) come through our area. The current plan is to attend five consecutive stages within a reasonable driving distance (no more than 90 minutes away).

The first stage within a reasonable driving distance was stage 6, which began and ended in Xativa – a one hour drive from where the Ultimate Sports Wife and I are staying. Xativa hosted its first stage finish. The last time it hosted a stage start was in 2004.

Pre Event Dining
As with any cycling tour the most enjoyable part (for both you and the wife) is eating and drinking while waiting for the cyclists. The Ultimate Sports Wife finds cycling events the perfect event since she is able to eat, drink and relax waiting for the cyclists and then when the cyclists finally do show up they whiz by in less than one minute.

We found two cafes in Xativa that were on the final turn to the finish line. The first was Horno Pasteleria Ortiz. The second was Bar Las Vegas. Both had outdoor seating but Ortiz was cleaner and we had a better view of the course. After a couple of drinks and a snack we got up to watch the riders.

The Race
After waiting for about 20 minutes, the leaders of the stage rode by at 5:14 pm. The peloton was not too far behind, which came by two minutes later.

Slovenian Borut Bozic won the stage for team Vacansoleil, who beat out American Tyler Farrar and Italian Daniele Bennati, giving Vacansoleil their first victory in a major three week race. German Andre Greipel, who finished 10th, is still the leader and wears the gold jersey.

After the race
Before or after you watch the riders, you should be sure to tour the city where the race starts or finishes. After the race, the Ultimate Sports Wife and I drove to the Xativa Castle located on a hill above the city.