August 27, Stage 6: Cordoba - Cazorla 200.3 km
A leg-sapping day with a tricky final climb
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.
After more than 200km in sapping heat, the closing 2,000m could well produce the biggest splits so far between the big hitters for the overall.
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.
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!
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
Stefan Kung builds momentum for Flanders with podium at Dwars door Vlaanderen
'Visma had the numbers' said Groupama-FDJ rider -
SD Worx try to avoid further Demi Vollering transfer drama by going silent
Danny Stam only willing to answer 'sporting' questions after disappointing Dwars door Vlaanderen - 'Cannot happen in Flanders' -
‘We continued the plan’ – Matteo Jorgenson steps up for Visma after Van Aert crash
Dwars door Vlaanderen victory puts North American in frame to lead at Tour of Flanders -
Crash between Soudal-Quickstep team car, medical car from men's race stops women's Dwars door Vlaanderen
Officials safely resume race after a 15-minute halt, remove Knokteberg-Trieu and Hotond from route