The peloton has climbed 1.9 km long and up to 29% (according to exact measurements) steep Mirador de Ézaro along the way at Vuelta a España 2013 stage 4. Some of the riders have dismounted and climbed on foot.
Tag: Vuelta a España 2013
Vuelta a España 2013 stage 21 is a flat, ceremonial stage from Leganés to Madrid. The length of the course is 109.6 km.
Vuelta a España 2013 stage 20 will finish at the top of Alto de l’Angliru, the sixth-time in Vuelta history. This is the toughest climb in cycling history for many.
The length of the course is 142.2 km, from Avilés to Alto de L’Angliru.
Vuelta a España 2013 stage 19 is a mountain stage with summit finish from San Vicente Barquera to Oviedo (Alto Naranco). The length of the course is 181 km.
Vuelta a España 2013 stage 18 is a mountain stage with summit finish from Burgos to Peña Cabarga. The length of the course is 186.5 km.
Vuelta a España 2013 stage 17 is a 189 km plain stage between Calahorra and Burgos. But it is not an easy course, there are two 3rd category climbs in the second half of the route.
Vuelta a España 2013 stage 16 is a mountain stage with summit finish from Graus to Sallent de Gállego, Aramón Formigal ski resort. This is the third and last day in the Pyrenees, a very tough course with 146.8 km length. The peloton will have already pedaled for many, many kilometers and the pressure experienced in the mountain stages may take its toll on more than a few riders. This stage will pay homage to Fernando Escartín (see notes 1), one of the best climbers ever to emerge from Spanish cycling.
Vuelta a España 2013 stage 15 is a mountain stage with summit finish from Andorra to Peyragudes. With 224.9 km length in the heart of the Pyrenees, this is the longest stage of this years’ Vuelta.
The stage will start in Andorra and finish atop the Peyragudes mountain pass, in France. This mountain stage will end at the summit where Alejandro Valverde won his last stage of the Tour de France. The day’s four mountain passes will mean changes in the general classification and will leave many riders out of the running to reach their final goal.
Those who obtain a good place during this tough stage will not necessarily win the Vuelta, but those who have a bad day will have definitely ruined their chances completely. The Vuelta a España will, once again, have a stage finish in France after the arrival at Cauterets back in 2003. In this way, the Vuelta pays homage to the 100th edition of the Tour de France.
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.