24.3
PDI
109.1 mi
DISTANCE
10,604 ft
GAINED
-0.02 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
Page Contributor(s): Photos: ASO / Sprint Cycling Agency
INTRO
Stage 6 covers 177.4 km from Alcossebre to Castelló de la Plana, a medium-mountain test through inland Castellón before the race returns to the coast. Four categorized climbs break up the day: the Category 2 La Serratella (14 km at 3.8%) around km 45, the Category 3 Coll de la Bandereta (4.6 km at 6.7%) at km 66, the Category 2 Desierto de las Palmas (7.6 km at 4.9%) at km 128, and the Category 1 Alto de El Bartolo (9.4 km at 7.1%) cresting at km 157 — just 20 km from the finish in Castelló. With no flat run-in after El Bartolo, this stage sets up a fast, nervous finale for whoever's still in the front group.
PLAN YOUR ROUTE
We've partnered with Sherpa-Map.com to bring you the best route planning tool. With a PRO Membership you can use this climb as a reference when creating your route. The stage rolls through rolling terrain for the first 40 km before the first climb. La Serratella (Cat. 2, 14 km at 3.8%) is a long, steady drag rather than a wall — manageable but relentless. Coll de la Bandereta (Cat. 3, 4.6 km at 6.7%) is short and punchy. Desierto de las Palmas (Cat. 2, 7.6 km at 4.9%) climbs through pine forest above the coast. The decisive climb is Alto de El Bartolo (Cat. 1, 9.4 km at 7.1%), cresting just 20 km from the finish in Castelló — steep enough, and placed late enough, to force real selection before the run into town.
Roads on this stage are well-surfaced Spanish regional highways (CV and N-roads) through Comunidad Valenciana. El Bartolo's climbing side has a narrower, more rural surface with light local traffic. There's no dedicated closed-road cycling access — ride the descents and lower slopes with normal road caution, and expect summer coastal traffic near Alcossebre and Castelló on race weekend.
Late-August coastal Valencia runs hot and humid — a standard road setup with a compact or mid-compact crank handles El Bartolo's 7.1% average fine, though a 30-32 tooth low gear is worth having for its steeper pitches. Bring extra bottles or plan a refill in Alcossebre or along the coastal towns; there's little shade before the climbs start.
Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.
Alcossebre is a quiet beach town roughly an hour north of Castelló de la Plana by car, with easy access from the AP-7 motorway. Castelló has more lodging options and better transit links, including rail service, making it a practical base for watching both the start and finish if you time the transfer around the stage.
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