It’s only appeared once in the Vuelta but La Farrapona has already made a name for itself. There’s the Alto de la Farrapona as the climb and the Vuelta lists the finish as the Lagos de Somiedo. But La Farrapona has stuck. What’s it like to ride?
Month: September 2014
Vuelta Stage 16 Preview
After two summit finishes a third one with a difference because today’s stage is a full mountain stage with four mountain passes to clear before the final climb of La Farrapona.
Vuelta Stage 15 Preview
The Vuelta’s status as the third grand tour is explained by several factors and one is the lack of identifiable climbs that have entered into legend and mythology thanks to repetition over the years. Today’s stage is as close as we get and maybe in time people will talk about the Lagos de Covadonga like they do the Stelvio or Alpe d’Huez? But never mind the future or the past it’s the present day that offers the most interest.
Vuelta Stage 14 Preview
The first of a triptych of mountain stages with summit finishes today offers a sharp climb with some of the steepest roads in the race ahead of the longer and more gruelling stages tomorrow and on Monday. Decisive, maybe not but be sure to tune in for the action late in the stage.
Vuelta Stage 13 Preview
Neither sprint nor summit finish today’s stage offers a good chance of a breakaway sticking to the end… where a tough finish awaits.
Vuelta Stage 12 Preview
A circuit race for today’s stage, an air of a Belgian kermesse as the race does eight laps around Logroño. We can expect a sprint finish. Today’s the day for a siesta and if you need to wash you hair, do it today.
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Vuelta Stage 11 Preview
A short stage with a sharp finish up a narrow track. After yesterday’s time trial will the race for red be fixed today or will others be out of revenge and a chance to open up the race?
Vuelta Stage 10 Preview
Crucial, vital, decisive – pick your adjective. Today’s 36.7km time trial is an important stage and a chance to reshape the overall classification before a series of summit finishes.
So Far So Good
If a stage race an exercise in taking riders and placing them into a chronological hierarchy the Vuelta still has a long way to go. One time trial and two summit finishes done and there’s still plenty to decide.