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The Vuelta a España 2023 route is a conventional affair for the Spanish grand tour: that includes mountain after mountain, it is suited to a climber who excels on steep, punchy slopes.
Over 21 phases, the riders – a few of whom have already been named inside the ever-growing Vuelta a España 2023 start list – shall be handled to 9 summit finishes: stage 13’s Col du Tourmalet finale guarantees to be a spectacle – and just one particular person race towards the clock, in addition to one workforce time trial.
This is not going to be a race for the sprinters; these after a quick end may have their probability on simply three events: stage seven (Utiel to Oliva), stage 12 (Ólvega to Zaragoza) and stage 19 (La Bañeza to Íscar).
We have damaged the race down into phases, here is all of the element it’s good to know.
Vuelta a España 2023 route
(Picture credit score: Vuelta a España)
| Stage one | Barcelona to Barcelona | 14.8km TTT |
| Stage two | Mataró to Barcelona | 182km hilly |
| Stage three | Súria to Arinsal (Andorra) | 158.5km mountains |
| Stage 4 | Andorra la Vella to Tarragona | 185km hilly |
| Stage 5 | Morella to Burriana | 186.5km hilly |
| Stage six | La Vall d’Uixó to Pico del Buitre | 183.5km mountains |
| Stage seven | Utiel to Oliva | 201km flat |
| Stage eight | Dénia to Xorret de Catï | 165km mountains |
| Stage 9 | Cartagena to Collado de la Cruz de Caravaca | 184.5km hilly |
| Relaxation day | Valladolid | Row 9 – Cell 2 |
| Stage ten | Valladolid to Valladolid | 25.8km ITT |
| Stage 11 | Lerma to Laguna Negra (Vinuesa) | 163.5km flat, uphill end |
| Stage 12 | Ólvega to Zaragoza | 151km flat |
| Stage 13 | Formigal to Col du Tourmalet | 135km mountains |
| Stage 14 | Sauveterre de Béarn to Larra Belagua | 156.5km mountains |
| Stage 15 | Pamplona to Lekunberri | 158.5km hilly |
| Relaxation day | Santander | Row 16 – Cell 2 |
| Stage 16 | Liencres Playa to Bejes | 120.5km flat, uphill end |
| Stage 17 | Ribadesella / Ribaseya to Alto de L’Angliru | 124.5km mountains |
| Stage 18 | Pola de Allande to La Cruz de Linares | 179km mountains |
| Stage 19 | La Bañeza to Íscar | 177.5km flat |
| Stage 20 | Manzanares El Actual to Guadarrama | 208km hilly |
| Stage 21 | Hipódromo de Zarzuela to Madrid | 101.5km flat |
Vuelta a España 2023 phases
Stage one – Barcelona to Barcelona (14.8km TTT)
(Picture credit score: Vuelta a España)
The Vuelta throws the GC into play from the off with a workforce time trial, simply because it did final yr in Utrecht within the Netherlands. The riders tackle a route filled with landmark sights and 90-degree turns and little flat to talk of. Time gaps are more likely to be minimal on the finish of what’s primarily a city-centre dash from nook to nook.
Stage two – Mataró to Barcelona (182km)
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With just one stage below their wheels, the riders already have to metal themselves for some critical climbing on this hilly outing within the Barcelona area.
The day’s major dish is the second-category Coll D’Estenalles, which sees riders climb from not far off sea stage to 870m. It comes at round one-third distance, and whereas the remaining 115km are solely reasonably lumpy, the steep climb of Montjuic within the finale is more likely to disrupt the intentions of the pure sprinters.
Stage three – Súria to Arinsal (Andorra) (158.5km)
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The profile says all of it: the Vuelta has hit the mountains – and it is solely stage three. Heading north from Súria for a Pyrenean end in Andorra, the primary two thirds of what’s not an extended stage are solely an appetiser for what’s to return – a double-header of category-one beasts on the finish, each ending slightly below 2,000 metres.
As we speak is the place the primary main GC blows might be dealt, and simply to liven issues up much more, there are bonus seconds accessible on the primary huge climb, the Coll d’Ordino.
Stage 4 – Andorra la Vella to Tarragona (185km)
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That Barcelona time trial apart, that is by far the flattest day to date, and should mark the primary alternative for the sprinters. They do not have all of it their very own manner although, and should negotiate a pair of cat-three climbs within the last third.
This specific piece of biking chess means groups should not solely maintain their designated sprinter in contact with the bunch but additionally area any breakaway makes an attempt because the end approaches.
Stage 5 – Morella to Burriana (186.5km)
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One other very hilly day trip, however however one which the sprinters shall be eyeing keenly. The day’s main problem is the second-category Collada de la Ibola, which comes round two-thirds of the way in which by, leaving loads of time for the sprinters to regroup. After all, the Ibola can also be nicely positioned for a robust breakaway group, so we might see fairly the battle because the race ploughs eastward in the direction of the orange groves of Burriana.
Stage six – La Vall d’Uixó to Pico del Buitre (183.5km)
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From coast to virtually inevitably mountainous inside, the riders battle their manner steadily upwards as we speak, for a end atop the 1,956m Pico del Buitre – dwelling to the Observatorio Astrofísico de Javalambre. Nevertheless, if the riders are seeing stars after they get there, it is more likely to be extra because of the effort concerned fairly than something to do with astronomy.
A ten.9km, category-one climb whose 8% averages belies the 15-16% ramps discovered all the way in which alongside its size, the Pico del Buitre is sure to ignite sparks within the GC race.
Stage seven – Utiel to Oliva (201km)
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Essentially the most cut-and-dried alternative for the sprinters the race has seen to date. In reverse to yesterday’s hard-climbing stage, as we speak heads downhill from vineyard-blanketed hills inland to the coastal flats, following the ocean south from 80km from Valencia to Oliva. The route would not sneak above 15 metres’ altitude all the way in which alongside this stretch, so the fastmen shall be assured of getting their day.
Stage eight – Dénia to Xorret de Catí (165km)
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Because the riders proceed to surf ‘n’ turf alongside the Costa Blanca on Spain’s jap flank, they face one other relentless day of ups and downs, culminating in a category-one climb of Xorret de Catí earlier than a brief descent to the end.
Beginning within the well-liked coaching camp vacation spot of Dénia on the coast, they head inland the place they discover, in brief order, 4 categorised climbs ushering them in the direction of the day’s climax at Xorret de Catí. A nasty piece of labor this last climb is just too, with ramps in extra of 20% and huge stretches of gradient within the mid-teens.
A 4km descent delivers the riders to the end.
Stage 9 – Cartagena to Collado de la Cruz de Caravaca (184.5km)
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With the cat-one Puerto Cassis de la Marina la Perdiz coming on the third-way mark and a second-category summit end, the GC riders and their groups would possibly resolve discretion is the higher a part of valour as we speak and let the breakaways have their head.
That is the ultimate coast-to-mountains stage on the Costa Blanca earlier than tomorrow’s relaxation day and an enormous switch that splits the nation in two, taking the race virtually to the north-west for the time trial.
Stage 10 – Valladolid ITT (25.8km)
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Simply because it was final yr, the one ITT of the race is discovered on stage 10 and comes straight after a relaxation day. It takes place round Valladolid, which hosted the primary ever Vuelta end line in 1935, and has featured 34 instances since, together with eight time trials.
Largely flat and untechnical, the route is one for the specialists, although the GC males will have to be on their sport too.
Stage 11 – Lerma to La Laguna Negra (Vinuesa) (163.5km)
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These fiendish Vuelta route designers have teased the sprinters with 150km of nigh-on flat going (troublesome sufficient to seek out in any respect in Spain) earlier than chucking in an unlimited climb on the final and ruining all their plans.
The 6.5km lengthy climb to the mountain lake of La Laguna Negra averages 6.8% and is presumably not onerous sufficient for a full-on GC battle. But when a break can get established it might make for an exciting battle between the remaining escapees.
Stage 12 – Ólvega to Zaragoza (151km)
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Any sprinters smarting at being thwarted by yesterday’s climb to the end will cheer up after they see the profile of stage 12. It may not look fully flat however with out a categorised climb in sight a dash end would appear be on the playing cards.
The riders shall be watching out for crosswinds and echelons although, that are a standard characteristic of any Vuelta journey to Zaragoza.
Stage 13 – Formigal to Col du Tourmalet (135km)
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The toughest stage on the race takes riders throughout the border into the French Pyrenees on the way in which to essentially the most iconic end on the race – the Col du Tourmalet.
The profile appears savage – there isn’t any different strategy to describe it. A dinosaur’s mouthful of craggy peaks and troughs that start from the get go.
The riders head straight into the cat-three Puerto de Portalet, which takes them above 1,700m and into France. Then it is all the way in which all the way down to 500m earlier than taking over the ‘Especial’-rated (the equal to hors-cat within the Tour de France, or ‘past class’ – that is how onerous they’re) Col d’Aubisque, the cat-one Col de Spandelles, after which a end on the Col du Tourmalet. Brutal.
Stage 14 – Sauveterre de Béarn to Larra Belagua (156.5km)
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One other extraordinarily difficult stage within the excessive mountains. In any case, the riders discovered themselves slap-bang in the course of the Pyrenees yesterday night, so that they needed to get again to Spain someway, proper?
They’re at the least granted 40km or so flattish kilometres earlier than the enjoyable begins with the primary of two ESP (Especial) climbs, the 1,440m Col Hourcère. Instantly afterwards comes the Puerto de Larrau which takes them to 1,579m and again throughout the border, providing bonus seconds besides.
After the descent there’s simply the small matter of the cat-three Puerto de Laza earlier than the climb to the summit end of the Puerto Belagua begins.
Stage 15 – Pamplona to Lekunberri (158.5km)
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Because the race sidles westwards away from the Pyrenees, it gives up a basic Grand Tour hilly stage. It’s peppered with second and third-category climbs that ought to make it the proper searching floor for the breakaways whereas nonetheless holding the GC riders on their toes.
All three categorised climbs come within the second half, kicking off with a cat-three, adopted by a brace of cat-twos, the final of which is lower than 10km from the end – the proper springboard for a successful assault.
Stage 16 – Liencres Playa to Bejes (120.5km)
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Straight off the again of a relaxation day, many riders shall be gladdened by stage 16’s quick and principally flat parcours. The end climb to Bejes is simply small, however quite a few 15% ramps imply it must be steep sufficient that the strongest riders will make the distinction on their strategy to victory.
Stage 17 – Ribadella / Ribeseya to Alto de L’Angliru
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Whereas the Col du Tourmalet could also be the very best identified climb on this yr’s Vuelta, the Alto de L’Angliru is more likely to strike essentially the most concern into the hearts of the riders.
It comes after two cat-ones that may have already softened up the legs, and it is rather, very steep.
The latter two-thirds of this 12.4km lengthy climb are those to focus on. They rise upwards in a relentless, vertiginous wall, averaging between 12-14% with frequent stretches above 20%, all the way in which to the end.
The GC riders shall be steeling themselves for this one – anybody with sub-par legs right here might lose minutes and minutes in these last eight kilometres.
Stage 18 – Pola de Allande to La Cruz de Linares (179km)
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After yesterday’s expertise on the Angliru there shall be some very drained legs, however equally loads of strengthened resolve. In any case, in the event you can rise up the Angliru with out cracking, you’ll be able to rise up most issues. Riders will even be buoyed by the truth that that is the ultimate big-mountain day.
Make no mistake although, this Asturian escapade is a beast, that includes two category-one climbs (one which is tackled twice), plus a cat-two and a cat-three for good measure.
The climbing begins 43km in with the second-category Alto de las Estacas, adopted by the primary cat-one, the Puerto de San Lorenzo mid-stage. After dispatching the third-cat Alto de Tenebredo the riders transfer swiftly on to a double ascent of the Cruz de Linares. Averaging round 10 per cent for the primary half, it softens only a contact in the direction of the highest. However at this stage within the race, the legs are drained and unpredictable, and there shall be some main sighs of aid amongst these making it to the end with out shedding essential GC time.
Stage 19 – La Bañeza to Íscar (177.5km)
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Anybody who needed a dash stage shall be glad that they’ve undoubtedly obtained one on their arms right here. One among a pair of phases that look nailed on for a bunch end within the last three days, that is as flat as they arrive, beginning at 766m above sea stage, ending at 750m above it, and barely wavering alongside its 177.5km size.
Stage 20 – Manzanares El Actual to Guadarrama
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Not solely is stage 20 is the longest stage of the race at 208km, it has essentially the most hills in it too. They may all be third-category, however there are 10 – depend ’em – 10 of them, unfold throughout the size of the stage. A troublesome proposition for what shall be universally drained legs at this level.
The route meanders and loops round north-west of Madrid like a Vuelta-style Tour of Flanders, taking in some climbs twice. Excellent breakaway territory.
Stage 21 – Hipódromo de la Zarzuela to Madrid (101.5km)
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After yesterday’s insanity comes one thing extra simple, and definitely extra acquainted. The day after the longest street stage, the riders are handled to the shortest, and with the GC theoretically wrapped up, there must be an atmostphere of fiesta for a lot of it.
The race loops south across the capital’s suburbs from the north-west to the east earlier than making a bee-line for the centre, the place the spoils are principally more likely to be loved by the sprinters.
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