Vuelta 2014 Route stage 14: Santander

Vuelta 2014 Route stage 14: Santander – La Camperona (León)

Saturday, September 6 – It’s climbers alert in the 200.8 kilometres leading from Santander to La Camperona. Riders are facing three mountains and the finish line is atop of the steep La Camperona.

The stage leaves Santander, a historical town on the northern coast of Spain. Riders head southeast in what seems to be a relatively easy opening. The first serious climb is Collada de la Hoz (category 2), known from the 2012 edition – when Alberto Contador attacked and laid the foundation for his GC win that year.

Collada de la Hoz is crested at 122 kilometres from the finish line. Drivers drop down and then the road gradually bends upward again, aiming for Puerto de San Glorio (category 1). The climb is long and gradual. At no point it gets really steep, the maximum gradient is 11.7%. It’s the sheer length, over 20 kilometres, making the Puerto de San Glorio a real pain in the ass.

Atop of Puerto de San Glorio it’s time for a break. For the next 70 kilometres riders don’t face any major obstacles. It’s only with 10 kilometres to go the next hurdle awaits them – and what a hurdle it is: La Camperona, debuting in La Vuelta.

The start of the ascent is actually quite comforting. Okay, after the village of Olleros de Sabero the road gets somewhat steeper, with gradients of up to 10%. But this is only the beginning. The party really starts when the riders pass Sotillos de Sabero. The final 3 kilometres are inhuman, with maximum gradients of 19.5%.

Whoever it is with nefarious plans, today is a perfect day for torturing your opponents.

The stage starts at 12:15 (CET) and the finish is expected around 17:40.