Commentary of the stage
The ninth Vuelta stage is a perfect day for the “stage hunters”, the cyclists who save their strength on some of the high mountain finishes in the hopes of springing a surprise on the days with medium-size mountain climbs. This stage will start up from Vielha and reach Sabiñánigo (Huesca) after three climbs and 200 kilometres of racing.
The initial 2nd category climbs of the tunnel of Vielha and L'Espina will make it easy for top-quality riders to be involved in the breakaway of the day. But the 1st category climb to the peak of Serrable (66 kilometres from the finish line) will also make it difficult for any sprinter teams to even consider trying to control the race.
History: If this marks the third time Vielha has been the start for a stage, Sabiñánigo can boast of having welcomed half-a-dozen finishes. It is also true the Vuelta hasn’t come to this city in Huesca since 1998, when Andrei Zintchenko won.
The initial 2nd category climbs of the tunnel of Vielha and L'Espina will make it easy for top-quality riders to be involved in the breakaway of the day. But the 1st category climb to the peak of Serrable (66 kilometres from the finish line) will also make it difficult for any sprinter teams to even consider trying to control the race.
History: If this marks the third time Vielha has been the start for a stage, Sabiñánigo can boast of having welcomed half-a-dozen finishes. It is also true the Vuelta hasn’t come to this city in Huesca since 1998, when Andrei Zintchenko won.