Brennauer returns to Spain this November with a strong supporting cast and Walker, who still enjoys a strong relationship with the Ceratizit-WNT crew, has no doubt “they’re coming here to win, and defend last year’s victory. Of course the sponsor of the team is also the title sponsor of the race so it adds motivation to come here and perform. They’ve been keeping their heads down and training hard.”
The riders know the route of Saturday’s Boadilla del Monte individual time trial (9.3km) very well. On the following day, the Madrid circuit has been slightly adapted but it should provide more of the exhilarating racing witnessed every year since 2015, with 17 laps through the Spanish capital adding up to 98.6km. But on Friday, the race will start with an unprecedented 82.8km hilly stage in the province of Toledo, welcoming the Ceratizit Challenge by La Vuelta for the first time in the race's history. Watch out for the 800m uphill finish in Escalona to open first differences in the GC battle for the 11th and final event of the 2020 UCI Women's WorldTour, a series that has seen 10 of these races held in the past 3 months.
The Ceratizit Challenge by La Vuelta will also be a last chance for the riders and teams to earn points in the season-long UCI Women’s WorldTour rankings. Trek Segafredo has had a successful condensed season: it currently leads the UCI Women’s WorldTour team ranking and has two riders in the top three of the individual ranking with Elizabeth Deignan (1st) and Elisa Longo Borghini (3rd). The two team mates are separated by second-placed Anna Van der Breggen. The UCI World Champion’s team, Boels Dolmans CyclingTeam is second in the team’s ranking before the final UCI WWT race of the season. Meanwhile Team Sunweb’s Liane Lippert will aim to hold on to her Youth Ranking leader’s jersey in Madrid.
Crowds won’t be able to gather on the side of the road to cheer for the riders, due to a new wave of coronavirus contaminations in Spain. The race organisation, the same who managed to keep Covid-19 away from La Vuelta, is enforcing strict protocols to also protect the riders and staff participating in the Ceratizit Challenge, and the teams have shown their commitment to race in these unique conditions. As for the fans, "we thank them for following the race at home, on TV and through social media, to support the riders and be part of an environment allowing the development of such an important event," said Javier Guillén.
The stage is set, it's time to race to Madrid!