A stage the Spanish describe as rompepiernas, or leg-breaking.
The road bumps constantly up and down for the first two thirds, with two much larger bumps to follow in the final third. The category 3 Alto de Baeza won’t disturb the serene progress of the favourites but the first-time finish on the Alto de Cazorla might trouble some of them. The climb has two very different aspects. It rises steadily for almost 20km before a sharp descent that leads straight onto a very steep 2km up to the finish.
Fernando Escartín (two-time Vuelta runner-up):
"You’d be right to describe this as rompepiernas. Once again there are constant undulations but I don’t suspect that the gaps between the main contenders will be all that big. The uphill finish will suit riders such as Joaquim Rodríguez and Alejandro Valverde."
The text in this preview originally appeared in the September edition of Procycling magazine.
-
Vuelta a España stage 7 LIVE: Juan Ayuso, Jay Vine and Mads Pedersen in the break following breathless start in the mountains
GC contenders set for another big test on 188km mountain stage to Cerler. Huesca La Magia -
'I don't know when I'll compete again, and that's hard' - Race return date uncertain for injured four-time Vuelta a España podium finisher Enric Mas
Movistar leader abandoned in Tour de France with thrombophlebitis in his left leg -
Remco Evenepoel makes return to racing next week at the Tour of Britain
Belgian back in the saddle from September 2-7 for the first time after withdrawing from the Tour de France -
Magicshine ALLTY 1200: Big lumens, small price tag, but is it any good?
A compact, easy-to-use front light that punches well above its weight and ideal for commuters and night riders alike
