The grand depart breaks away from the coastal hum of Málaga, diving straight into the rugged Andalusian backcountry. Leaving the Mediterranean behind, the route snakes through the Guadalhorce Valley. Glimpses of massive limestone formations near the El Chorro gorge set a dramatic backdrop as the road trends strictly upward. Punchy ramps test your gears on the approach to the historic fortress town of Teba, where ancient castle ruins keep watch over the plains. From there, the track flows across empty roads lined with olive groves into the Sierra Sur hills. The day wraps up in the white village of Algámitas, nestled beneath its iconic craggy peak. A heavy, rewarding climbing day.
