Organizers have announced the route for the 2007 Tour of Spain, with three mountain finishes among the highlights of the 3241-kilometer race.
The Tour begins in the northwestern port city of Vigo September 1. The first of two individual time trials will be held in Zaragoza on September seventh. Riders face the ascent up the Lagos de Covadega in the fourth stage.
The route will travel clockwise around Spain, including a 205-kilometer mountain leg that ends in Granada. Four days later, the riders face a first- and second-category climb to the walled city of Avila. The cyclists then tackle the final summit finish atop the Alto de Abantos.
The 21-stage event ends in Madrid September 23.
Race director Victor Cordero said next year's event will be an important one after doping scandals tainted cycling this year, especially in Spain. Police found steroids, hormones, endurance-boosters and equipment for blood transfusions at a Madrid Clinic in May. Several top cyclists were linked to the scandal.
