Probably, the punchy last climb that’s crested with 15.2 kilometres remaining will be crucial in the Vuelta’s 19th stage. The Alto de San Martin is 4.5 kilometres at 7.2%, yet the last 3 kilometres tell the real story as this section is averaging almost 10%. He who is among the first riders to crest is perfectly placed to be in the mix to win the stage. Only ‘obstacle’ is the 15.2 kilometres descent.
En route from Caso to Gijón the riders face Alto de Colladona, Alto de San Emiliano and Alto de la Falla de los Lobos. That last one is crested with 65.1 kilometres remaining, which is too much to have an impact on the results. Which is another story on the punchy final climb, Alto de San Martin.
Expect the teams of sprinters with climbing legs (QuickStep/Trentin) to control the race. And the other way around, too. The teams of punchers with fast legs will be eyeing up their chances as well.
Favourites 19th stage 2017 Vuelta
*** Rui Costa, Julian Alaphilippe, Matteo Trentin, David de la Cruz
** Bob Jungels, Luis León Sánchez, Anthony Roux, Sacha Modolo, Matteo Trentin
* Wout Poels, Tomasz Marczynski, José Joaquín Rojas, Edward Theuns
Vuelta 2017 stage 19: Route maps, height profiles, and more
Click on the images to zoom
Related articles The Route - Vuelta 2017 Riders - Vuelta 2017 Withdrawals - Vuelta 2017 Favourites - Vuelta 2017 Start times time trial - Vuelta 2017 GC Favourites - Vuelta 2017 More articles Tour of the Alps 2021 Route stage 4: Naturns – Pieve di Bono
Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2021: The Route
Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2021: Riders
Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes 2021: The Route
Tour de Romandie 2021: The Route
Tour de Romandie 2021: Riders
Tour de Romandie 2021 Route prologue: Oron-la-Ville
Tour de Romandie 2021 Route stage 1: Aigle - Martigny
Tour de Romandie 2021 Route stage 2: La Neuveville - Saint-Imier
Tour de Romandie 2021 Route stage 3: Estavayer - Estavayer
Tour de Romandie 2021 Route stage 4: Sion - Thyon 2000
Giro 2021: The Route
Giro 2021: Riders
Giro 2021: GC Favourites
Giro 2021 Route stage 1: Turin - Turin
Giro 2021 Favourites stage 1: Ganna's dash for pink
Giro 2021 Route stage 2: Stupinigi – Novara
Giro 2021 Favourites stage 2: First fast finishers showdown
Giro 2021 Route stage 3: Biella – Canale
Giro 2021 Favourites stage 3: Strong sprinters or late attackers
Giro 2021 Route stage 4: Piacenza - Sestola
Giro 2021 Favourites stage 4: Bike handling in intriguing finale
Giro 2021 Route stage 5: Modena - Cattolica
Giro 2021 Favourites stage 5: Back to the fast men
Tour of the Alps 2021: Riders
Tour of the Alps 2021 Route stage 5: Idroland – Riva del Garda
Tour de France 2021: The Route
Tour de France 2021: Riders
Cycling Calendar 2021
Vuelta 2021: The Route