Vuelta a España 2014 stage 20 is a 185.7 km mountain stage with summit finish from Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil to Puerto De Ancares.

Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil will be the starting point of the penultimate stage of the Vuelta a España. The peloton will head towards the Puerto de Ancares, where the finish line is located, through an unprecedented area in what will be a tough and demanding day. The route features two 3rd category climbs, one 2nd category climb, one 1st category climb and one special-category climb. Just one day from ending this three-week grand tour, the tiniest detail could make a world of difference to the general classification.

Vuelta a España 2014 Stage 20 quick info

  • DATE September 13, 2014, Saturday
  • STAGE TYPE Mountains (summit finish)
  • START-FINISH Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil (660 m) – Puerto de Ancares (1,655 m)
  • LENGTH OF THE COURSE 185.7 km

Vuelta a España 2014 Stage 20 Profile

Vuelta a España 2014 stage 20 profile
Vuelta a España 2014 stage 20 profile

Climbs

Vuelta a España 2014 stage 20 climb details - Alto de Folgueiras de Aigas
Vuelta a España 2014 stage 20 climb details – Alto de Folgueiras de Aigas. Start: 153.9 km – summit: 163.6 km – length: 9.7 km – max. altitude: 950 meters – elevation gain: 650 meters – avg. grade: 6.7% – max. grade: 10% – Category: 1
Vuelta a España 2014 stage 20 climb details - Puerto de Ancares
Vuelta a España 2014 stage 20 climb details – Puerto de Ancares. Start: 173.0 km – summit: 185.7 km – length: 12.7 km – max. altitude: 1,655 meters – elevation gain: 1,115 meters – avg. grade: 8.7% – max. grade: 18% – Category: 1

Last kilometers

Vuelta a España 2014 Stage 20 last 5 km profile
Vuelta a España 2014 Stage 20 last 5 km profile

Start: Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil

Vuelta a España 2014 Stage 20 start: 
 Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil
Vuelta a España 2014 Stage 20 start: Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil

Nogueira de Ramuin boasts of Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil, a Parador (or state-run hotel) that has become one of the highest rated paradors by the clients of the Paradores Nacionales network. It also has a notable and valuable natural and artistic heritage.

This land was already appreciated by its first settlers thousands of years ago, as proven by the tombs of the “mamoas de Moura” and, especially, in the early Middle Ages when it housed the anchorites that promoted the construction of numerous Romanesque churches that give their name to this area: the Ribeira Sacra (Sacred Riverside) that aspires, with the unanimous support of the municipalities of the Regional Councils of Lugo and Ourense, and of the Galician Government, to receive the UNESCO title of World Heritage Site.

Finish: Puerto de Ancares

Vuelta a España 2014 Stage 20 finish: Puerto de Ancares
Vuelta a España 2014 Stage 20 finish: Puerto de Ancares

Ancares is located Northeast of León, in the region of Bierzo, bordering the province of Lugo and the Principality of Asturias.

It is also a protected Natural Space, a special protection area for birds, a Place of Community Interest, and Regional Hunting Reserve and is included in the brown bear and capercaillie Protection Plan.

Sources