Commentary of the stage
The cyclists will fly from Toledo to the foot of the Pyrenees to face their first major high mountain stage test of the Vuelta. With the start in Barbastro and finish line in Andorra, specifically at Naturlandia-La Rabassa, the stage not only takes place over very difficult mountain terrain but also unfolds over a distance guaranteed to take its toll: 223 kilometres.
The mountain phase begins at kilometre 64 with the 2nd category climb of Montlloblat, continues with the 3rd category climb at Faidella (km 111) and especially comes into play on the two ascents of La Rabassa. The first of these 1st category climbs is barely 30 kilometres from the finish line, in a finale where the racers must repeat this same gruelling climb but then continue on to Naturlandia. That means an additional four kilometres of climbing the second time around. This will be a key stage for the climbers, the first day when they can recover the time lost in Ciudad Real.
History: Barbastrao has been the start for a Vuelta stage twice before while Andorra has now experienced 16 finishes since Esteban Martín won in 1965. The last finish in Pyrenees country was last year, when Denis Menchov won at Arcalís.
The mountain phase begins at kilometre 64 with the 2nd category climb of Montlloblat, continues with the 3rd category climb at Faidella (km 111) and especially comes into play on the two ascents of La Rabassa. The first of these 1st category climbs is barely 30 kilometres from the finish line, in a finale where the racers must repeat this same gruelling climb but then continue on to Naturlandia. That means an additional four kilometres of climbing the second time around. This will be a key stage for the climbers, the first day when they can recover the time lost in Ciudad Real.
History: Barbastrao has been the start for a Vuelta stage twice before while Andorra has now experienced 16 finishes since Esteban Martín won in 1965. The last finish in Pyrenees country was last year, when Denis Menchov won at Arcalís.