Stage 15 leaves from Sabiñánigo, the cycling capital of the Aragon region. In the 2008 Vuelta a Espana Greg van Avermaet powered to victory in this town.
With 32 kilometres done the Alto Petralba marks the first real climb, it’s a 3rd category climb peaking at an elevation of 1,250 metres. A drop and a slightly undulating section on rolling roads leads to the foot of Alto de Cotefablo. The distance, 13 kilometres, and the irregularity of the climb are the most treacherous factors here. For instance, a steep slope at 10% is followed by a 1 kilometres drop before the road starts to go up again af fluctuating gradients.
The apotheosis is in the hight mountains, close to the Frenche border. It’s not the first time Formigal hosts the Vualta a Espana. Three years ago Warren Barguil, then 21 years of age, climbed to victory in the ski resort.
The climb is not too steep, once again it is the irregularity that makes it tough. For 15.8 kilometres the road inclines at 4.3%. Underway the riders pass some flat sectors and even a short drop, while slopes at 9.5% welcome the riders halfway up the mountain. With 3 kilometres remaining the climb brings sectors at around 8% for 2 kilometres before the climb flattens out in the final kilometre.
At the finish wait 10, 6 and 4 seconds for the first three riders, and 3, 2 and 1 seconds can be gained at the intermediate sprint after 90 kilometres.
Results/race report 15th stage, 2016 Vuelta.
Vuelta a España 2016 Stage 15: Route maps, height profiles, etc
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