Vuelta España Femenina - Stage 4

The flattest stage of the race will be a welcome sight for the sprinters

Jump to:

Vuelta España Femenina - Stage 4

Dates 1 May
Race Length 142 kms
Start Molina de Aragon
Finish Zaragoza
Race Category Elite Women

Published: 23 April 2024

Stage 4: Molina de Aragón –Zaragoza (142.4km, Flat)

Heading inland, stage 4 will be the final opportunity for the pure sprinters, and typically of a Spanish race, is the only road stage classified as 'flat'. At 142.4km, the longest stage of the 2024 Vuelta Femenina and the peloton may relish the opportunity to rest their climbing legs, with less than 1000m of altitude gain on the stage.

The route is flat for the first 45km or so as the bunch works its way north-east, crossing back into the Aragón region, but from there it heads mostly downhill, meaning that it could be a bleak day for the breakaway hopefuls, as a determined peloton will be hoping to ensure a bunch sprint outcome for their fast finishers. That being said, it may not all be plain sailing. The Moncayo area is known for strong winds, and the threat of crosswinds will keep the riders on their toes. While on paper it looks like a day for GC riders to ease off the gas and stay protected while the sprinters go to work, their teams will need to be alert to the possibility of echelons and make sure they keep their leaders with the group, should any splits occur.

With an intermediate sprint in Sante Fe, 12km from the finish line, the bunch will already be at a high clip. This will lead to a hectic finale in the town of Zaragoza, where a sharp left just before the flamme rouge will lead to a fight for position, before a relatively straight drag to the finish line, situated alongside the city centre’s Parque Miraflores.

Words by Katy Madgwick