Category: Races

Vuelta a España 2013 stage 14 is a very tough mountain stage with summit finish, from Bagà to Collada de la Gallina (Andorra). The length of the course is 155.7 km. It is also the first stage in the Pyrenees.

With 2,410 m elevation, the Port de Envalira will be the Cima Alberto Fernandez^[1] (the highest point of the Vuelta a España, the Spanish equivalent of Cima Coppi) of this year’s race.
Last year, stage 8 of Vuelta a España finished atop Collada de la Gallina too, and Alejandro Valverde of Movistar won the stage.

Vuelta a España 2013 stage 13 is a mountain stage from Valls to Castelldefels. The length of the course is 169.0 km. The stage will not finish atop any mountain but the course still tough.

The day before the Vuelta a España’s arrival in the Pyrenees could be marked by various aspects. Firstly, by the wind, which could greatly affect the day’s progress. If the wind is strong, the stage could be extremely challenging and complicated. All the riders will have to be careful not to lose everything they have worked so hard to gain thus far in the past two weeks.

Secondly, not many riders will be willing to spend all their energy on this stage, as reserves are already running low. The next three days will take place solely in the Pyrenees and every effort made could potentially take its toll later on. It will be a fast, anxiety-driven day. However, the climb up the Rat Penat mountain pass promises to be one of the day’s highlights.

Vuelta a España 2013 stage 12 is a plain stage from Maella to Tarragona. The length of the course is 164.2 km. Despite there is a 3rd category climb in the middle of the route, the stage is suitable the pure sprinters, because there is a lot of flat course after that climb. The general classification contenders will want to save their energy just two days before reaching the Pyrenees.

Vuelta a España 2013 stage 11 is an individual time trial stage in Tarazona. The 38.8 km course contains a 3rd category climb. After the rest day, it will be a real test for the GC contenders.

Vuelta a España 2013 stage 10 is a mountain stage with summit finish, from Torredelcampo to Güéjar Sierra/Alto Hazallanas. The length of the course is 186.8 km.

The peloton will face the unprecedented Alto Hazallanas climb immediately after having endured the Monachil climb, making this stage highly complicated for all concerned. The difficulty faced in the final part of this stage will make it one of the Vuelta’s truly determining days.

Vuelta a España 2013 Stage 9 is a mountain stage with summit finish, between Antequera and Valdepeñas de Jaén. The length of the course is 163.7 km.

Valdepeñas de Jaén has one of the toughest ramps in the world of cycling. The gradient hits up to 30%, more than enough to ensure an epic day of racing for the aficionados. The stage will be tough and, after the previous day’s efforts, there could well be some differences at the finish line. A bad day at Valdepeñas de Jaén can affect the remainder of the race. Leaders will pay particular attention to the final movements in order to fight for the prestige of winning a stage.

Vuelta a España 2013 stage 8 is a mountain stage with summit finish, between Jerez de la Frontera and Estepona (Alto Peñas Blancas). The length of the course is 166.6 km.

Vuelta a España 2013 stage 7 is a flat stage between Almendralejo and Mairena del Aljarafe. The length of the course is 195.5 km.

Vuelta a España 2013 Stage 6 is a plain stage between Guijuelo and Cáceres. The length of the course is 175 km.

This stage will most likely be a very fast one. The departure from Guijuelo and the route to Cáceres will invite the peloton to reach very high speeds and the sprinter teams will do their best to prevent any breakaways.

Vuelta a España 2013 stage 5 is between Sober and Lago de Sanabria (Sanabria Lake). The length of the mountainous course is 174.3 km.