Stage 2 of 2024 La Vuelta to Ride Through Bombarral
Excited to learn that this year's La Vuelta — the Spanish Grand Tour equivalent of the Tour de France — will be passing close by my home in Bombarral, Portugal. It's not just the fact that this is a major sporting event passing close by, but a chance to photograph some of the best names in cycling. The race is well known for its challenging routes, dramatic landscapes, and intense competition, and for cycling enthusiasts like myself, having it pass so close to home is a dream come true.
The peloton includes some of the biggest names in the sport: João Almeida, who finished 4th in the Tour de France and lives nearby in Caldas da Rainha; Jonas Vingegaard; Primož Roglič; and last year's winner, Sepp Kuss. Stage 2 runs from Cascais to Ourém and literally passes the front door. And perhaps my fellow Welshman, INEOS rider Geraint Thomas , will also take part.
It's a great chance to keep building my portfolio of cycling images, which started with photographing the Velothon in South Wales in 2017 and 2018, and continued with the Tour of Flanders in 2018 .
Although the route was announced back in December 2023, I'm now pinpointing exactly where it will pass and planning the best vantage points. One thing that never fails to catch people out is the speed of the peloton — they'll pass in a matter of seconds. There's a cobbled section through the town centre of Bombarral that should make a great spot. It's going to be an unforgettable day, especially for local cyclists and the school kids who'll have a chance to witness a world-class sporting event right here in our town.
Official La Vuelta 2024 Documents
- Official Roadbook of La Vuelta 2024 — detailed maps and stage times
- Stage presentation — mobile version
- Stage presentation — desktop version
Stage Routes (GPX via CyclingStage.com)
- Stage 1: Lisbon – Oeiras
- Stage 2: Cascais – Ourém
- Stage 3: Lousã – Castelo Branco
For the complete list of stages visit CyclingStage.com .