The final mountain stage. The podium places are not certain and today could see the gaps narrowed ahead of tomorrow’s final time trial.
Vuelta
Vuelta Stage 19 Preview
The last stage of the Vuelta? Well it’s the last stage for a large share of the peloton looking to salvage something from this race because tomorrow’s summit finish is fierce and Sunday’s short time trial is reserved for the specialists.
Vuelta Stage 18 Preview
Better late than never? The web hosting company’s had problems but here’s the preview of Stage 18. Pointless? Well maybe orth putting up for to see the prediction go wrong… and more usefully to ensure Manuel Díaz’s daily contribution is there to read.
Vuelta Stage 17 Preview
The final week’s racing resumes with a stage suited to the sprinters, the last flat stage of the race. Just one problem: there are not many sprinters left in the race. It’s not that riders can’t rush for the line but with few teams capable and willing to chase down a breakaway the certainty of a sprint is reduced.
Contador’s Vuelta
Religious miracles have been built on less. Alberto Contador’s resurrection from a broken leg to the strongest legs in Spain continues as he rolls on towards Santiago de Compostella. It’s hard to see how he can be beaten now and the battle for the podium could be settled too.
Roads to Ride – La Farrapona
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?
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.