The Vuelta a España delivers the longest day of the Grand Tour, 200.5km, with a vengeance - on a third consecutive trudge through the mountains and deep into the second week of racing. Logic says the break has a solid chance of going the distance on terrain like this, but the positioning of a category 1 climb shortly before the finish means that the GC men will be primed for action as the race circles into Asturias.
The peloton takes in the town’s castle and monastery and then the rolling roads from Villafranca del Bierzo, a first-time host for the Vuelta a España. After the first 91.4km, all uphill, the riders will pass through the finish line in Villablino a first time and set off for a large northerly loop.
The category 3 Puerto de Cerredo hits just 10km later, 7km in official length with an average gradient of 4.6%. Then there is almost 48km until the intermediate sprint in Cangas del Narcea. The day’s key difficulty comes in the finale, however, as the route climbs back out of Asturias by way of the long, long haul over the Puerto de Leitariegos, 22.8km and averaging 4.5%.
The slopes are very regular, but the length of the climb could cause some problems. And of course, the GC contenders have been jostling for position behind leader Ben O’Conner (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale). Will a breakaway enjoy opportunities like stage 13? Will Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) attack again to chip away at the Australian’s lead? Will GC contenders like Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike) finally spring into action?
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