Vuelta 2014 Route stage 18: A Estrada – Monte Castrove (Meis)

Thursday, September 11 – Stage 18 in the 2014 Vuelta traverses the area the tour started in last year’s edition. The ride heads in 157 kilometers from A Estrada to finish 700 metres after cresting Monte Castrove.

Vuelta 2014 Route stage 18: A Estrada – Monte Castrove

We start at the western tip of Spain, only 25 kilometers from Santiago de la Compostela, in just 3 days the closing town in the individual time trial that calls an end to the 2014 Vuelta.

Today the profile looks a bit like a washboard with two shark teeth on both ends. Those shark teeth indicate the same mountain, because Alto Monte Castrove is climbed twice, both from another direction. The second time it’s a top finish.

Alto Monte Castrove (515 altimeters) is a col in category 2. The closing climb is 5 kilometers in length and the maximum grade is 12%. It is not very likely for big differences to be made today. But a strong jump at the end and reeling in some extra seconds plus stage victory, why not ...