Organizers of the Serratigit Challenge by La Vuelta have announced that the women's stage race has been expanded to five stages and will take place from September 7-11, 2022.

The announcement was made during the official route presentation of the Vuelta a España at the Palacio Municipal - IFEMA in Madrid on Thursday.

"In 2015 we have organized a pioneering race in this country with the hope of making this race an international reference. It is a fun and exciting race," said Javier Guillén, general director of La Vuelta.

"The importance of this race in the Women's World Tour calendar is evident in the very high level of participation in 2021. We must meet the demands of the athletes and we must do so by making this the toughest route ever."

"We are very proud to be a part of this race.

The Serratigit Challenge was first won by Shelley Olds in a one-day race in Madrid in 2015, and was won by Jolien Dufour in the 2016 and 2017 editions.

In 2018, the race was expanded to two stages and won by Ellen van Dijk. In 2019 and 2020, when a third stage was added, Brennauer won again.

However, this year's race, won by Annemiek van Fruten (Movistar), was the toughest of all, partly because it was expanded to four days starting in 2021: two mid-mountain stages, the Cabeza de Manzaneda ski resort time trial, and a sprint finish in Santiago de Compostela.

Organizers have not yet announced route details.