Vuelta 2016 Route stage 17: Castellón – Llucena (Camins del Penyagolosa)

Wednesday, September 7, 2016 – Stage 17 in the Vuelta a España features one 3rd category climb, two 2nd category climbs and a harsh and punchy finale. At 177.5 kilometres, the Castellón-Llucena race is set to conclude with a 4 kilometres wall at 12.9%. Steepest sector? 21%...

The peloton leaves from Castellón, in the 2015 edition the finish of a flat stage. Surprisingly Kristian Sbaragli outpowered top-favourite John Degenkolb.

Today tells another story. A tough challenge at 177.5 kilometrs with Alto de Desierto de las Palmas, Alto de la Sarratella and Puerto de Benasal as a warm up to an impressive finale. Alto Más de la Costa is a 3.8 kilometres climb at 9.9% and with a steepest stretch at over 21%.

Arrival place Llucena is also commonly known as Lucena del Cid. It's a municipality in the province of Castellón, nicknamed ‘la perla de la montaña’, a.k.a the pearl of the mountain.

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 168,6 kilometres.

Results/race report 17th stage, 2016 Vuelta.