Vuelta a España 2021: Stage 13 preview
August 27: Belmez - Villanueva de la Serena, 203.7km


Stage 13: Belmez - Villanueva de la Serena
Date: August 27, 2021
Distance: 203.7km
Stage timing: 12:18 - 17:30 CEST
Stage type: Flat
Vuelta a España stage 13 preview video
This is one of two clear opportunities for the sprinters in the remaining week or so of the Vuelta a España. However, while the profile looks straightforward, the chance to fight for victory may not come easily to them. At almost 204km, this is a long stage by recent Vuelta standards. More significantly, it runs through the heart of Extremadura, a land of extremes, particularly when it comes to the heat, which can be fierce at this time of year.
It starts in the village of Belmez, which is overlooked by an impressive 13th century castle. The riders will head north-west, the road rolling towards Peraleda de Zaucejo, where the route turns northwards towards Monterrubio de la Serena, rolling still, and then to the intriguingly-named town of Cabeza del Buey – ox head.
The route continues to the north to cross the huge Embalse de la Serena reservoir, then strikes out more directly towards the finish town of Villanueva de la Serena. The intermediate sprint comes just before it, as the riders pass through Don Benito. From there just 11km remain to the line, where the sprinters should sort out the day’s honours between them on the slight rise up the finish, assuming the Extremaduran heat hasn’t withered their hopes and resources.
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Peter Cossins has written about professional cycling since 1993 and is a contributing editor to Procycling. He is the author of The Monuments: The Grit and the Glory of Cycling's Greatest One-Day Races (Bloomsbury, March 2014) and has translated Christophe Bassons' autobiography, A Clean Break (Bloomsbury, July 2014).
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
Cascade mountains, camping and crazy hard racing - Sofia Gomez Villafañe and Cameron Jones win GC titles at Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder
Mattia de Marchi survived three of the five stages before withdrawing from the 20% bonus scoring event in the Gravel Earth Series -
Gallery: Geraint Thomas' last ever Tour de France race bike
How has the venerable Welshman set up his Pinarello Dogma on the eve of his final Tour de France? -
'A stage win would be amazing' – 18 years since debut, Geraint Thomas eyes final Tour de France hurrah before retirement
Fully recovered from Tour de Suisse crash, Welshman excited as ever for 14th and 'one last big lap' of France -
'Not-so-secret weapon' Dave Brailsford returns to Ineos Grenadiers as they work to regain Tour de France dominance with TotalEnergies as new sponsor
'I'd like to think that in ten years' time you can see this era as a pivot point to a new chapter of success' says team manager John Allert