David Olle has most recently covered this race as a cycling journalist and is keen to get more aussies to see this magnificent event and experience the spanish culture. With contacts maintained since his first visit to Madrid for a World Cup in 1994, you’ll live and breathe the Vuelta like a local.
We visit the starts and sign-ons, ride parts of the route, stop for roadside picnics and enjoy the local tappas and lifestyle. Spain is great on it’s own, but with the Vuelta it’s magnificent.

The 2010 Vuelta Route will be announced in Feb 2010, our route will be available shortly after
The following is our 2009 Vuelta a España itinerary:

Day 1 Friday 11th  Sept
Them: La Vuelta Stage 12 Almería - Alto de Velefique 174 Kms
Us: The tour starts with a 10am airport pick up in the Topbike air conditioned bus or 11am meet at our centrally located hotel in Granada where we shall spend the next 3 nights. After assembling the bikes we shall head out for a mid afternoon ride in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada region.  Following this we will plant ourselves in-front of a Telly to watch the riders finish stage 12 a grueling one with 3 category 1 climbs and 1 category 3 climb, finishing on the punishing Alto de Velefique.  Tonight we will head downtown for a taste of Granada’s local cuisine as we dine in the heart of the old town.

Day 2 Saturday 12th  Sept
Them: Stage 13 Berja - Sierra Nevada 175 Kms
Us: Expect Granada to be a little crazy today as only the Spaniards can when their big race is coming through town.  The Topbike riders will have most of the day to ride last 39 ks of the stage and climb from Granada (670 m) to the stage finish on Sierra Nevada (2520m).  There will be plenty of antics hill side as the Spaniards line the hill in anticipation of the great race passing them by.  Getting off the mountain is a life experience in itself, there will be no hurry though as we head out to dinner in Granada fashionably late Spaniard style.

Day 3 Sunday 13th  Sept
Them: Stage 14 Granada - La Pandera 157 Kms
Us: The circus is in our town this morning with a race start late morning in Granada.  We are staying put tonight so the Topbike riders can do a ride early out on the course for 45 ks to the first of Alto de Las Encebras (1,140 m cat 3 climb) or even further if desired. The Topbike van can provide as easy get home solution for those who want to venture out further on course.  Some of you might prefer to see the start and so head back on course after a short ride. We will again dine downtown in Granada.

Day 4 Monday 14th  Sept
Them: Stage 15 Jaén - Cordoba 168 Kms
Us: This morning we depart Granada and drive North to Ciudad Real (270 km, 2.5 hours by car).  Upon arriving at Cuidad Real we will hop on the bikes and head out to nearby Daimiel (30 km by bike) on the edge of the Parque Nacional de Las Tablas de Daimiel and ride around the unique ecosystem wetlands formed by the overflow of 3 nearby rivers.  Today the race passes to the West and we will catch the last hour on TV and dine shall dine locally in Cuidad Real tonight, where we shall spend the next two nights.

Day 5 Tuesday 15 th Sept
Them: Stage 16 Cordoba - Puertollano 170 Kms
Us: Today’s stage finishes just 43 km away from us so the Topbike riders will ride over and watch the flat stage finish.  The riders will have ridden two cat 3 climbs to get there, but expect the sprinters teams to be on the chase if there are any early breaks.  We shall again dine at a local restaurant.

Day 6 Wednesday 16th Sept
Them: Stage 17 Ciudad Real - Talavera de la Reina 175 Kms
Us: Today we get a chance to do as the riders do, it’s a flat stage and the Topbike riders will attempt to ride the whole 175 km, as we change hotel locations heading north.  Once at the finish we shall again watch the sprinters jostle it out and hop in the Topbike van for a 50 km transfer to out hotel situated in the nearby foothills of tomorrow’s course, we shall spend the next 3 nights here dining in house.

Day 7 Thursday 17th
Them: Stage 18 Talavera de la Reina - Ávila 187 Kms
Us: The 18th stage should pass not too far from our hotel today.  We can relax for the morning as we have the whole day to explore the mountains and foothills around piedralaves in the Avila region, riding as much or as little as you wish.

Watch the pros up close….

Day 8 Friday 18th
Them: Stage 19 Ávila - La Granja. Real Fábrica de Cristales 174 Kms
Us: As La Vuelta heads further north we will not chase it today, instead use the time to relax over breakfast then head out into the foothills and mountains once again for a long ride and a picnic.  By 4pm we will be TV side watching the pros crest the top of Puetro Navacerrada and then the fast downhill finish into La Granje

Day 9 Saturday 19th
Them: Stage 20 Toledo - Toledo 26 Kms I.T.T.
Us: Today the Topbike riders will take the van to Madrid, en route we will stop at Toledo (99 km by car), onload the bikes and clock ourselves on the 26 km  ITT course.  We will then set up a picnic and see how the pros do it.  After all the action, it’s back in the car for the short drive into Madrid (89km by car).  Tonight’s accommodation and for the next two nights is centrally in Madrid with dinner at one of Madrid’s finest seafood restaurants (with plenty of non seafood options available)

Day 10 Sunday 20th
Them: Stage 21 Rivas-Vaciamadrid - Madrid 110 Kms
Us: One of the highlights of Topbike’s La Vuelta trip is the final city ride through the streets of Madrid.  Don’t expect to raise a sweat but expect to be overwhelmed by the beauty of Madrid as you take the road bikes for a tourist procession lead by our knowledgeable guides. After a coffee in Plaza Mayor we will head back to our centrally located hotel and pack up the bikes ready for tomorrow’s departure. There will still be plenty of time to head to the finish line to watch the final stage of the 2009 La Vuelta come into central Madrid.  Tonight we shall dine traditionally Spanish style Tapas, in central Madrid.

Day 11 Monday 21st  Sept
Today we shall breakfast together and then head our separate ways, with a mid morning drop off to Madrid international airport.

TOPBIKE'S 2010 LA VUELTA TOUR INCLUDES
All transport in the Topbike air conditioned mini-bus from Granada to Madrid for you, your bike and one bag. 
10 nights accommodation: 4 Locations, 3 nights Granada, 2 nights Ciudad Real, 3 nights Piedralaves and 2 nights Madrid (twin share)
ALL breakfasts and dinners
Full back up vehicle and mechanical support on every ride
Airport transfers in the Topbike Van
A six piece Topbike cycle clothing Kit: 2 bib and brace nicks, 2 short sleeve jerseys, 1 long sleeve jersey, 1 winter thermal top
Energy bars and carbohydrate drink powder
Experienced cycling guides
Detailed maps of all ride routes
Airport Transfers in the Topbike Van
Tips, coaching if requested
Non cyclists also catered for
All particular dietary requests are catered for, just let us know

NB:  The itinerary above is to be used as a guide only, as Topbike Tours are well known for making use of all (and creating some extra) opportunities, expect that variations from the above can happen at any time.      

13 places only @ (AUD) $5,490.00pp twin share.

See the Topbike riders preride the course of La Vuelta