Vuelta a España - Stage 13: September 12 - Berja - Sierra Nevada, 175km
Southern Spanish slope should sort things out
Proycling's Analysis: If the contenders for the overall title weren’t clarified on the Velefique, they almost certainly will be today. The first-cat is 25km and reaches 2000m, the second is half that but frighteningly steep at points. From there, it’s straight on to the climb to the Sierra Nevada ski station. It’s not steep, but will take a huge toll after what’s gone before.
Culture Vulture: Books written by Genesis drummer Chris Stewart have attracted lots of Brits to the Alpujarra mountains.
Local hero: This is a big day for Granada’s Manuel Calvente, who heads home as one of the key men in the Contentpolis-Murcia team.
Vuelta Retro: The most famous finish here was in 1995, when Laurent Jalabert slowed drastically to allow long-time solo breakaway Bert Dietz to sneak home for the stage win his bravery merited.
Neil Stephens says: Anything that's got an uphill finish is important to us because we're going for the overall. Alejandro Valverde will be up for the stage win if he's in a position to do so but as long as he's up there that's what we're looking for. We'd only look for the win if there's no break up the road and we are in a position to take the stage.
This stage is good for someone like Cadel Evans. He'll work out a happy medium about where he attacks, and there are enough areas in the Vuelta where he can light it up if he wants to and he can certainly make a difference.

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!
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to The Pick. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
Chris Froome goes viral with Bentley ASMR parody video
Four-time Tour de France winner shows his humorous side before end of season racing -
Naesen, Bouchard, Warbasse among 'glue of the team' renewed at AG2R Citroën
Giro stage winner Vendrame and U23 rider Lapeira extended for two years -
Van Vleuten, Vollering expected to ride Gravel World Championships
Newly-retired Van Vleuten has 'no ambitions in a gravel career' despite intention to start in Italy -
New York City one-day race, women's Challenge Mallorca added to 2024 UCI calendar
No Vuelta a San Juan as Argentinian race goes local