Vuelta 2016 Favourites stage 10: Win for eternity at Lagos de Covadonga

Stage 10 in the Vuelta a España is set to close with the irregular climb up to the renowned Lagos de Covandongo. Before hitting the closing climb the riders face one 1st categor--asecent, while the rest of the race is played out on rolling roads. One would say this is attackers territory... (Slideshow route/profile)

An arrival at Lagos de Covadonga is unpredictable. Mountain goats and diesels, they all were successful near the infamous lakes.

The 2014 Vuelta a España saw the last finish near Lagos de Covandonga. Early escapee Przemyslaw Niemiec held on for dear life to finish 5 seconds ahead of the best GC-riders, Alejandro Valverde and Joaquim Rodriguez.

Stage 10 of the Vuelta leads over rolling roads before two harsh ascents mark the last 50 kilometres. Firstly Alto del Fito (7 kilometres at 7.7%) and after a 20 kilometres intermediate the closing climb up to Lagos de Covadonga looms. The irregular ascent at over 12 kilometres comes with an average gradient at 7.3%, yet in the dying metres of the race the grade balloons to a grueling 17.5%.

Favourites 10th stage Vuelta a España

*** Thomas De Gendt, Joe Dombrowski, Darwin Atapuma, Bart De Clercq
** Alberto Contador, Esteban Chaves, Alejandro Valverde, Chris Froome, Nairo Quintana
* Robert Gesink, Andrew Talansky, Tejay van Garderen, Samuel Sánchez