The Cabra City Council hosted the presentation of the VII Cycling Challenge ‘La Subbética’, one of the most important national stage races. The event will take place on the region's roads from September 11th, 12th, and 13th, with starts and finishes in Priego de Córdoba, Lucena, and Cabra.
The town of Cabra will be the protagonist of the final day, Sunday, September 13th. The stage, starting and finishing in Cabra, will feature a summit finish at the Sanctuary of María Santísima de la Sierra as its main attraction. The pre-stage gathering will be held, as usual, around La Tejera, from where a route of almost 100 kilometers will depart, accumulating between 2,300 and 2,400 meters of positive elevation gain. Before the final ascent, cyclists will tackle climbs such as Sierra Cristina (Priego) and ‘El Mojón’.
Municipal Sports delegate, Francisco Casas, highlighted that this finale will be a major attraction, as it is the third day of competition and the final venue will be the Sanctuary of the Virgen de la Sierra. Casas emphasized the Challenge's evolution into a sporting benchmark, attracting teams and riders from all over Spain.
Fernando Sánchez, an organizational manager, noted that the finish in Cabra will be the culmination not only of the stage but of the entire Challenge, due to the difficulty of the climb and the quality of the peloton. The participation of 23 teams and around 170 cyclists is expected, including formations from Spain, Portugal, and France. Among the participants, the current Spanish champion, Benjamín Noval, known for his competitiveness in mountain terrain, is anticipated.
In total, the VII Challenge ‘La Subbética’ will cover approximately 310 kilometers and between 6,200 and 6,300 meters of positive elevation gain, figures that position it among the most demanding events of its kind in Spain and have earned it the nickname ‘the hell of La Subbética’ within the peloton. The organization will mobilize a caravan of over 70 vehicles and around 300 people, in addition to a significant security detail with the collaboration of the Guardia Civil de Tráfico.
Francisco Casas thanked the organizers for their work and the institutional support, especially from the Provincial Council of Córdoba, as well as the city councils of Cabra, Priego de Córdoba, and Lucena, and the Mancomunidad de la Subbética.
Finally, Casas encouraged cycling fans and the general public to follow the event, particularly the decisive stage in Cabra, which will once again unite sport and territorial promotion with a highly demanding and spectacular route, culminating in the ascent to the Santuario de la Virgen de la Sierra.
