This is the Vuelta's second visit to the ski resort of Aramón Valdelinares. The first was back in 2005, when Roberto Heras jumped away from rival Denis Menchov in the final kilometre to take the stage win and remove the leader's gold jersey (as it was back then) from the shoulders of Australian Brad McGee. Heras went on to win the title but was stripped of the victory after testing positive for EPO. He then successfully challenged the validity of that test and was reinstated as the winner in 2012. The climb to Valdelinares is steady and, at 11km, is longer than anything that's gone before. Today's winner may not emulate Heras in taking the title but the overall contenders for the red jersey will become very evident.
José Azevedo says: "I rode this in 2005 and I know it's a complicated climb. There will probably be lots of wind early on in the stage, which creates another difficulty. The gc riders will want to gain time on each other at the toughest finish so far."
Copyright: lavuelta.com
-
![]()
Taylor Phinney set to retire
29-year-old American wore the Giro's maglia rosa in 2012 but suffered career-altering injury in 2014 -
![]()
Vuelta a España director downplays 2020 Tour de France route's debt to Spanish race
Guillén to mix innovation and tradition in 75th edition of the Vuelta -
![]()
9 best waterproof cycling jackets for 2019: cycling jackets to keep you dry when the weather turns wet
Cyclingnews’ round-up of the 9 best waterproof cycling jackets available to buy this year -
![]()
Tour de France 2020: 5 key stages
A closer look at the days that could decide the race
