The Alto del 14% is one of the ascents that connects the city of Córdoba with the Subbética. It is named for a road sign that warns drivers of the tremendous slope. This Thursday, 19 km from the finish line, is the key point of a once again hot stage (around 35º), which will test whether any team with sprinters trusts that their sprinter will pass this second port of 7.2 km at 5.6%, or if the escape will be given freedom.
Among the first Philipsen will be missing, winner of two days in this edition, who went home yesterday. Among those who were most active in the getaways, Aranburu will not be there, one of the hopes of saving the national honor (there are still no Spanish triumphs), which did not come out yesterday due to the wounds of his fall in Almáchar.
It will also be another exam for the Norwegian Odd Christian Eiking, who does his calculations to know how far he can go in red: “If I save him in Córdoba, I think I will be able to dress him until Saturday’s stage at Pico Villuercas.” His most immediate threat is the French Guillaume Martin, at 58 “, more climber than him, but who was not able to scratch him for a second in Valdepeñas de Jaén.