Querétaro - Barrón - Cycling Simulator

One of the most beautiful cities in the world, Querétaro City is filled with majestic viceroyal architecture from times colonial, streets of smooth cantera stone, intricate designs that every modern city deserves, and magical pink sunsets hailed by Jorge Luis Borges himself, who once said: "I saw a sunset in Querétaro that seemed to reflect the colour of a rose in Bengal."

The city's historic center (or downtown) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its cobbled streets welcome us to marvelous landmarks such as the Aqueduct, the Church of San Francisco, the Regional Museum, the Garden Zenea, the Church and ex-convent of Santa Rosa de Viterbo, and the Plaza de Armas, and many other museums and churches of beauty bewitching. Querétaro is also the birthplace of Team Quetzal's manager Jonhatan Hernandez, and where the team's HQ is located.

Unfortunately, the cyclists and staff of Division 5 teams will have to enjoy the sights before the race, as it starts at the gates of the Cerro de las Campánas, an amazing national park that surrounds a hill, atop of which a chapel stands. The place is famous for being where Emperor Maximilian I was executed under orders of liberal president Benito Juárez, ending the Second Franco-Mexican War. A 13 meter massive statue of Juárez is also in the establishment. The mountain gets its name from rocks that make bell sounds when they are struck. Children are often taken there to experience this as primary students.

They then surround the circuit around the hill and end up in Avenida Universidad, one of the most famous avenues of the city. A statue of Ignacio Pérez can be seen, a conspirator who successfully warned the revolutionary leaders of the Mexican Independence that they had been discovered by viceroyal authorities, which set in motion the war that lead to the free Mexico we all know and love.

The peloton will then make its way into federal highway Mexico 57, three lanes wide. They will see the Querétaro River, the Kellog's factory and the Military Zone 17, while also crossing one of the bridges that goes over the only railroad there is. Continuing through Francisco I. Madero they will exit the city by the west, and ride through the mexican Bajío countryside, bikes over roads that are sometimes narrow and poorly entertained. By now, a breakaway is expected to be leading the race by three to five minutes. The sun is unforgiving and stamina is required in the hilly terrain. OCM TV2 spectators might catch a glimpse of abandoned houses of red bricks, small communities and sometimes agricultural fields. Small trees and constant curves are the norm as well.

The state designed Pueblo Mágico (magical town) of Comonfort will receive the peloton at the mid stages of the stage, which has a maximum elevation of 7,575 feet above sea level. The caravan of cars will now be able to drive on better roads as after this town the stage will happen in the federal highway Mexico 51. Perfect asphalt and two lanes of space help stretch the peloton wide. The steppe sceneries are now aesthetically comforting, and the riders will ride in front of the Neutla Dam, an eco-touristic park and protected area, as well as vineyards and archaeological zones.

Highway GTO (Guanajuato) 67 will lead the peloton to the jaw-dropping ecological reserves Los Monos (The Monkeys), which indeed has monkeys as inhabitants. The sights are naturally unbelievable and some riders and spectators will be left perplexed. At this point, the breakaways must have been integrated into the peloton and the favorite's teams are riding strong to put their captains in the best place possible. The race will be decided in a hilly sprint at the minuscule town of Barrón, where the winner of El Corazón de México will be crowned. This stage has incredible sights and even better racing. Be sure to tune in!