Commentary of the stage
The eighth stage will be the second chance for the climbers in the ´08 Vuelta, although it will be quite different from yesterday’s stage. The short distance of just 152 kilometres, compared to 223 the previous day, really invites attacks from the very first metre. And there’s even more in store on a day with four major peaks as the race passes through its highest point.
The stage will start up from Andorra to reach the summit of Pla de Beret. The cyclists will have to climb the 1st category peak of Cantó, make the 2nd category ascent to Enveny, and then the 1st category climbs to the summits of both Bonaigua and Pla de Beret. The toughest part of the day is concentrated in the last two peaks. At 2,070 metres high, La Bonaigua is the Alberto Fernández summit. This time it is practically linked with the final peak, Pla de Baret, an ascent which always creates time differences.
History: Pla de Beret has been the finish line of the Vuelta a España three times. Jon Unzaga, Alex Zulle and the ex-champion of Spain Joaquín Rodríguez were the winners in 1992, 1995 and 2003, respectively.
The stage will start up from Andorra to reach the summit of Pla de Beret. The cyclists will have to climb the 1st category peak of Cantó, make the 2nd category ascent to Enveny, and then the 1st category climbs to the summits of both Bonaigua and Pla de Beret. The toughest part of the day is concentrated in the last two peaks. At 2,070 metres high, La Bonaigua is the Alberto Fernández summit. This time it is practically linked with the final peak, Pla de Baret, an ascent which always creates time differences.
History: Pla de Beret has been the finish line of the Vuelta a España three times. Jon Unzaga, Alex Zulle and the ex-champion of Spain Joaquín Rodríguez were the winners in 1992, 1995 and 2003, respectively.