In the peloton to evaluate the stage with the result of yesterday’s Tourmalet, They preferred to do this after the next one and arrive in Larra-Belagua. Of course, maybe they didn’t imagine the jumbo show… or they did. They were the two most demanding days of this Vuelta (Asturias also has very tough terrain), due to the demand, the climbs and because they took place on consecutive days. It’s one of the six unprecedented high placings this edition. The climb covers 9.5 kilometers with an average gradient of 6.3% and maximum ramps of up to 10%. That is, constant. The finish line is at 1,587 meters above sea level, one of the highest points in the municipality Navarre.
“I would divide the climb into three parts. The first thing when you enter the valley, with a first straight of around 2.5 km at 7%, not very difficult. The second one with horseshoe curves is quite demanding. Then in the third part you approach the destination and leave the entire valley on the right. It is a very open area, so the wind can be crucial,” revealed local resident Julen Amezqueta (Caja Rural) in AS last spring.
Estella’s pointed out that, given his profile and that of Larra-Belagua, it is “a phase of strategies”. It won’t be the most challenging climb of the day. The other two, Hourcére and Larrau, They belong to a special category. The latter will be particularly tough at 14.9 km at 8%. Miguel Indurain’s unsurpassed series of successes ended in 1996 without a break and with little attendance. Having won the five previous Tours, the 17th stage, which ended in Pamplona, was tough for the Navarrese, who arrived more than eight minutes behind the winner Dafaux.
At that moment his era as a runner ends started be Legend. A total of 156.5 km, starting in France, in Sautveterre-de-Bearn, and ending near the border with St. Martinsstein. Everyone against Jumbo, because they are the rival to beat and the rest will have a hard time not only beating them in La Vuelta… but even avoiding the group of three they currently occupy. Ayuso, fourth, currently the biggest rival and candidate.
|
Pos Cyclist |
equipment | Time |
|---|---|---|
1
 |
TJV | 46h:42:54 |
2
 |
TJV | +01:37 |
3
 |
TJV | +01:44 |
4
 |
UAD | +02:37 |
|
5
|
MOV | +03:06 |
|
6
|
UAD | +03:10 |
|
7
|
TBV | +04:12 |
8th
 |
BOH | +05:02 |
9
 |
BOH | +05:30 |
10
 |
UAD | +08:39 |
