Vuelta a España: Stage 8 preview
Stage details and expert guide
Lleida – Andorra. Collada de la Gallina
Distance: 175km
Highest point: 1,555m
Category: High mountains
The contenders emerge
The second weekend of the race brings the second major summit finish. Unlike Valdezcaray, which has plenty of Vuelta history attached to it, the Collada de la Gallina is a new climb to the race. Before it, riders will cross the cat 2 Comella.
It’s not a huge test as a climb but the descent is steep, tight and tricky. While Andorran climbs tend to climb gently and steadily to a great height, making them difficult for their length, the Gallina is shorter and rises in irregular steps, some of which are incredibly steep. The final 4km averages more than 9 per cent, which should create gaps between the main contenders.
Igor Anton: "The first of the tough summit finishes, at a point where fatigue will be starting to have an effect. We will see who’s come for the GC and riders will lose ground due to the attritional nature of the stage rather than as the result of attacks."
Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59
Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Most Popular
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
Liège-Bastonge-Liège 2024 - Analysing the contenders
Tadej Pogačar, Mathieu van der Poel, Demi Vollering and Elisa Longo Borghini battle in final event of this spring's Ardennes Classics -
Assos Equipe RS Jersey S11 review: Continuing to set the standard
Shouldn’t your race-ready jersey also have great pockets and a stay-put waistline? -
Decluttering mass starts, rewarding podium riders top changes to 2024 Life Time Grand Prix
Life Time marketing director talks about creating 'fandom' for cycling with more real-time race content, but live streaming on hold -
Flèche Wallonne winner Kasia Niewiadoma: 'I hope people will be inspired'
Polish rider takes her first Classics win in five years on Mur de Huy