Vuelta 2020 Favourites stage 5: Attackers in Pyrenees foothills

Vuelta 2020 Favourites stage 5: Attackers in Pyrenees’ foothills

A prolonged and virtually flat run-in makes way for three climbs in the last 70 kilometres of stage 5. The finale is relatively easy, so GC contenders may not be interested to put pressure on one another. (Slideshow route/profile)

The 5th stage at La Vuelta is not very remarkable for a long time. On gently rolling roads the riders are pedaling through the Aragón region and all seems to be set for a sprinter’s finale. That is, until the last 70 kilometres.

The ascents are not very remarkable either, to be honest. The scenery is though. On narrow roads the riders are riding just south of the Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido. In order of appearance they crest the Alto de Vio – 13.5 kilometres at 4.7% – and Alto de Fanlo – 6.4 kilometres at 4,6% – before continuing onto a wide road, which climbs the Alto de Petralba: 8.7 kilometres at 5.2%.

A 15 kilometres descent leads into Sabiñánigo before the last 2 kilometres are a false flat-run into the line.

Given the terrain, it is not to be expected that the GC riders will go haywire.

Favourites 5th stage 2020 Vuelta a España

*** Tim Wellens, Nans Peters, Michael Valgren
** Rui Costa, Luis León Sánchez, Andrea Bagioli
* Robert Power, Jetse Bol, Tomasz Marczynski, Gino Mäder

Another interesting read: route 5th stage of the 2020 Vuelta.