Saturday 9th September
Stage 20 (Corvera de Asturias - Alto de L'Angliru)
Mountains, Summit Finish (117.5km)
The Stage
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The finale that will decide the race. A short stage again at 11.7km that takes in the Alto de la Cobertoria, the Alto del Cordal, and the Alto de L'Angliru all within the space of the last 75 kilometres.
The Route
Starts with a fascinating climb of the Alto La Reigada which is uncategorised by 12.5km, so long enough for some early moves to get into the break. After that there’s then 50 kilometres of steadily rising flat that builds up towards the day’s first climb, the Alto de la Cobertoria. 8.1 kilometres long, it averages 8.6% and is more severe than that because of the completely flat transitional kilometre that comes after sections of 11%.
The descent from that is a long one and we then have the day’s sprint -yes, the day’s sprint – at Pola de Lena and then the start of the second climb, the Alto del Cordal. This is another very hard ascent, where the consistency is likely to make things difficult for many riders as the gradient doesn’t dip below 6% and the climb is 5.7% at 8.6%.
The Finish
The Angliru is one of the most venerated limbs in Europe and the most famous at the Vuelta – for good reason. 12.5km at 9.8%, there is little or no relent until the 5th kilometre where the percentage now drops to sixth, but for the rest of the climb the average shoots upto 15% with a special 10th kilometre where the gradient is never less than 13% although it hits heights of 23% and it remains at about 10% until the last 100 metres when the race finally ends.
The Angilru has a long and storied history, and winners here include Kenny Elissonde (2013), Juan José Cobo (2011), Alberto Contador (2008), Roberto Heras (2002), Gilberto Simoni (2002) and José María Jiménez (1999).
Those interested in taking a look at the climb can watch this video below:
The Rider
Say it with me one last time. A pure climber.
The Contenders
Breakaway or GC shootout? We’ve had break winners but only one of those hasn’t been an established climbers and bonus seconds are sure to be on the mind of Bahrain-Merida to name one at least, along with Katusha-Alpecin. The makeup of the escape will be crucial but the main contenders will have their eye on this.
Chris Froome has well over a minute in hand on Vincenzo Nibali and will hope to come to the final climb just needing to follow the Sicilian, who himself is clear of Wilco Kelderman in third. Nibali has been finishing this race very strongly and his excellent performance on Los Machucos bodes well for this climb.
Los Machucos could be the best benchmark for this particular climb. Alberto Contador attacked on the hardest slopes and managed to put 40 seconds and more into his rivals, meaning that he is in fifth and potentially in reach of the podium although he would need rivals to crack. Miguel Angel Lopez has won two stages already and was third at Los Machucos whilst Wilco Kelderman and Ilnur Zakarin were just behind.
Movistar will flood a break – or attempt to – and Dani Moreno’s good effort on Los Machucos would suggest he is the best choice but they can also have Richard Carpaz and Marc Soler get into an escape. Romain Bardet’s chances might be best from the break and the same is true of Darwin Atapuma; Rafal Majka is strong enough to win from any situation.
