For the brave and for cyclists who are not afraid of the heat or the harshness of the mountains. The 79th edition of La Vuelta stays true to its DNA and this year offers a challenging, demanding and explosive course, perfect for runners who excel in the mountains and not for sprinters. 21 stages with 10 departures and 6 unprecedented arrivals, with 6 flat stages, 13 medium mountains and high mountains, two individual time trials – low mileage, the first as a contact in the race of only 12 kilometers and the last of 24, 6 kilometers on the streets of Madrid – and no stage has a route of more than 200 kilometers, as if they did the Giro d’Italia or the Tour de France this year.
This 2024 La Vuelta returns from Lisbon, the first time was in 1997, and after the first three stages on Portuguese soil, the first high finish comes, which is on Spanish soil, with the climb to Villuergas Peak in Cáceres, which was the first high finish. It will not be a decisive day because of its location in the route book, but it will not be easy either, because the finish on Pico Villuercas (1st) will come after three previous climbs, the first 23 kilometers from the start, which there are cement ramps that They have a slope that reaches up to 16%. Surely more than one cyclist will choke.
The first week of racing closes at first major mountain stage in Granada. Three 1st category ports uploaded (The Purchase and twice Hazels), with the difference in this case that it does not end at a height after crowning Hazallanas, the road descends sharply towards city of Granada.
In the Galician lands, La Vuelta will experience the first of its grand finals at altitude in Port of Ankara (1st), an ascension that comes after leaving three previous minor ascensions, but the last of a day, Port of Llumeras (2nd) It was only 20 kilometers from the finish line, a scenario that could then be decisive for the fate of the day. The difference at this stage is that Anchors You climb an unprecedented slope, on the edge of León, with eight kilometers of ascent with a slope from 9 to 15%.
After several days of intense fighting, the peloton closed the second week of racing on day 15, which was 142 kilometers apart. Infiest and Cuito Negrospecial category, in Asturias. After going up and down three levels, you’ll face what they’ve identified as the new Asturian colossus Cuitu Negru (1,843 meters) facing you after crossing the Puerto de Pajares. Note that in this case the ramps reach up to 23%, percentages where it is difficult to walk uphill and maintain verticality.
Asturias will be key again in La Vuelta, with the first day after the second rest day, with the risk it always carries, and the most expensive promotion in Lakes of Covadonga (special category), which the race survivors will face after going up and down the 1st climbs. Fito and Llomena.
The last stage of La Vuelta takes the last two stages, especially the penultimate one, 171 kilometers in Burgos which results in White Picon (1st): not because of the hardness of this climb, but because previously the cyclists had already discussed six scoring climbs, which at this point in the film are many and heavy on the legs.
The 2024 Vuelta ended like this year’s Tour, with a time trial in which it will be necessary to see if the race comes to decide or some 24.6 kilometers to Madrid They end up being decisive and decide the places on the podium.
The Slovenian Primoz Roglic aspiring to his fourth Vuelta, equaling the record of victories of Roberto Heras (2000, 2003, 2004, 2005).
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
