Vuelta  España  2017

EARLY  BIRD  Offer

We’re  delighted  to  present  you  with  the   third   of   our   EARLYBIRD   offers,  giving   you   the   opportunity   to  secure   your   spot   on   this   limited  spaces   tour   and   fo l low   the  culmination   of   the   hidden   gem   of  the  grand  tours,  the  Vuelta  España.    

You   can   expect   all   out   racing,   rich  cultural   experiences  and   some  epic  riding   through   the   Spanish   sierras,  coastlines  and  countryside.  

When   the   route   is   released  we  will  provide   your   arrival   and   departure  airports,  along  with  a  more  detailed  itinerary   of   the   route   we’ll   be  covering.    

This   tour  will   be   taking   place   after  the  peak  holiday  season  and  so  this  is  a  fantastic  opportunity  to  ride  on  quiet   roads   and   see   the   different  regions  at  their  uncrowded  best.    

“Entering   into   the   bullring   with  some   of   the   best   climbing   in  E u r o p e ,   q u i e t   r o a d s   a n d  unmistakeable   Spanish   culture   will  m a k e   f o r   a   t r u l y   u n i q u e  experience.”  Steve  Cunningham

“The hidden gem of the Grand Tours”

Vuelta  España  2017

Highlights• Witness  first  hand  the  

culmination  of  the  2017  Vuelta  España  

• Ride  specially  selected  routes  that  the  Pro’s  will  be  racing  on.  

• On  road  personal  coaching  and  advice  from  former  professional  rider  and  director  sportive,  Steve  Cunningham  

• On  and  off  the  bike  photography  pack  to  take  home  those  precious  memories  

• The  “Pro”  experience  includes  the  best  in  the  business  on  road  support,  with  a  1:5  guide  to  rider  ratio.  

• Flexible  ride  options  allow  you  to  ride  as  much  or  as  little  as  you  want.  

• Our  professional  soigneur  service  takes  care  of  everything  from  baggage  transfer  to  dietary  requirements  and  bike  mechanics  to  physical  preparation  for  the  day  ahead.  

• Non-­‐riders  are  welcome  and  well  catered  for  with  an  array  of  sightseeing  excursions  and  of  course  the  race  to  follow.  

“The hidden gem of the Grand Tours”

The   lesser   known   of   the   grand  tours,   the   Vuelta   España   is   the  hidden  gem  of  the  summer  season,  with   easier   entry   to   the   start   and  finish   areas   to   mix   with   the   riders  and   better   access   to   key   parts   of  the   stages   to  get   you   closer   to   the  action  too.  

The   racing   is   arguably   the   most  exciting   of   the   season   for   several  reasons,  firstly  the  young  riders  and  those   that   missed   out   on   the  Tour  de   France   are   highly   motivated   to  capture   the   attention   of   their   own  and  potential  new  teams.    

Secondly   the   race   organisers   are  always   looking   for   more   media  attention,  which  means  they  design  stages  that  are  interesting  to  watch  and   often   feature   stunts   such   as  riding  along  the  sandy  beach  in  the  2015  time-­‐trial.  

All   of   this   combined   with   reduced  squad  sizes  and  strength  makes  for  high   octane   racing   and   when  blended   with   the   sort   of   punchy  climbing   we’ve   seen   on   this   years  race,   it   is   sure   to   deliver   some  spectacular  viewing  opportunities.

The  Racing

Vuelta  España  2017“The hidden gem of the Grand Tours”

The  Riding

What  isn’t  a  secret  is  that  more  and  more   pro’s   are   choosing   to   base  themselves   in   Spain   due   to   the  consistency   of   the   weather   and  variety  of  riding.    

Spain  is  the  2nd  most  mountainous  country   in  Europe  and  packed  with  unspoilt   national   parks   giving   us  seemingly   endless   options   to  design   rides   to   take   your   breath  away.    

The   different   regions   with   the  warm   Andalucian   South,   Pyrenees  mountains   to   the  North  and   twisty  luscious   Basque   and   Cantabria  coastlines   in   the   North   West,  provide   very   different   backdrops,  cultures  and  rides.  

We   will   be   following   the   closing  days   of   the  Vuelta   España   but   will  be   ensuring   that   the   race   doesn’t  interfere   with   finding   you   the  quietest  roads  and  most  epic  riding  for   you   to   enjoy   and   test   yourself  on.  

Non-­‐riders   will   be   well   catered   for  with   an   array   of   sightseeing  opportunities   and   of   course   the  Vuelta  to  follow.

Vuelta  España  2017“The hidden gem of the Grand Tours”

The  Culture

Spain   is   one   Europe’s   oldest  civilisa3ons,   with   a   rich   history,  giving   rise   to   a   strong   set  of   values  and  well  established  tradi3ons.    

Like  much  of  Europe,  Catholicism   is  the   basis   of   their   culture;   with  family,   food   and   drink   playing   a  major   role   in   daily   life.   However  sport   is   also   a   dominant   force   and  whether   it   be   on   the   bike,   on   the  soccer   pitch   or   in   the   bull-­‐ring   the  Spaniards  compete  with  a  passion.  

The   warm   weather   determines   the  structure   of   the   day   with   siestas  taken   aEer   lunch   and   the   main  ac3vi3es   taking   place   during   the  morning  and  evening.  

There   are   several   well   established  wine   regions,   the   most   famous  being   Rioja   in   the   North.   Spain   is  also  well   know   for   is   its   Tapas.   This  varies  in  style  from  region  to  region  so   we   will   be   using   our   local  exper3se   to   bring   you   the   most  authen3c  experiences  of  it.  

Vuelta  España  2017“The hidden gem of the Grand Tours”

Included  in  the  package  • 15  spots  available  making  for  a  

personalised  tour.  

•   All  transfers  including  airport  pickups  and  drop-­‐offs.  

•   9  nights  in  carefully  selected  4  Star  and  Superior  3  Star  hotels.  

•   Daily  regional  buffet  breakfast  

•   5  nights  of  the  finest  Spanish  cuisine  including  selected  wines  and  beverages.  

•   4  evening  meals  will  be  left  open,  giving  you  the  freedom  to  explore  local  options  that  our  local  experts  will  recommend  and  make  bookings  for.  

•   Full  on-­‐road  support  for  all  ride  options,  using  well-­‐equipped  vans  to  provide  quality  “ride  food  &  drinks”,  mechanical  support,  first  aid,  shower,  changing  facilities  and  WiFi.    

•   Flexible  lunch  options  with  local  cafes  or  Pro  musette  packed  lunches.  

•   On  and  off  the  bike  photography  by  the  team,  so  to  take  home  those  precious  memories.  

•   A  welcome  pack  including  Polka  Dot  Cycling  jersey,  printed  maps  and  profiles,  local  information  and  more.  

Extras  &  Upgrades  • Single  room  supplement          $1500  •   BMC  bike  hire  (compact  gearing)  

$500  

To  join  us  on  this  trip  we  ask  that  you  have  travel  insurance  that  covers  full  medical  insurance  –  both  emergency  and  non-­‐  emergency  care  –  and  preferably  one  that  covers  any  valuables  you  may  bring  yourself.    

Arrival  and  Departure  flights  are  not  included  in  this  package  so  please  make  sure  to  make  your  own  arrangements.  We  are  happy  to  recommend  arrival  and  departure  times  or  airlines  to  use.  

Finalise  your  booking  To  assure  your  place  on  this  tour,  please  contact  Niamh  via    

niamh@polkadotcycling.com.    

We  will  send  a  booking  form  for  you  to  complete  and  we  will  take  a  deposit  of  $750.    

For  any  further  questions  about  this  tour,  please  don’t  hesitate  to  get  in  touch  with  Steve  either  by  phone  (+61)  0488  918  900  or  email    

steve@polkadotcycling.com.    

We  look  forward  to  seeing  you  out  on  the  Tour  with  us  and  creating  some  unforgettable  memories!    

Vuelta  España  2017“The hidden gem of the Grand Tours”