The longest intermediate ascent is the Alto de Españares. It appears almost halfway and climbs in 10.3 kilometres at 3.6% to a plateau. The route continues on undulating terrain to the finale. Pure sprinters won’t like the profile, but don’t be surprised if Peter Sagan smells opportunities. Could be he will let his team work to opt for a group sprint. If not, chances are the fight for the stage honours will come down to the breakaway boys.
The finale opens with a 2.4 kilometres slope at 3.4% before a flat section of 1.6 kilometres runs to the last 2 kilometres. The drag up to the line is too tough to be a false flat and too easy to be a climb. The average gradient is 3.8%, while the road kicks up at 7% just before the finish.
Favourites 8th stage 2018 Vuelta a España
*** Peter Sagan, Thomas De Gendt, Stephen Cummings, Fabio Felline
** Bauke Mollema, Tiesj Benoot, Omar Fraile, Alessandro De Marchi
* Valerio Conti, Dylan van Baarle, Michael Albasini, Alexandre Geniez
Vuelta a España 2018 stage 8: Route maps, height profiles, and more
Click on the images to zoom
Related articles Riders - Vuelta 20 Withdrawals - Vuelta 20 Favourites - Vuelta 20 GC Favourites - Vuelta 20 More articles World Cycling Championships 2020 Imola: Alaphilippe takes rainbow jersey
World Cycling Championships 2020 Imola: Route Road Race – men
World Cycling Championships 2020 Imola: Riders Road Race – men
Giro 2020: The Route
Giro 2020: Riders
Giro 2020: GC Favourites
Giro 2020 Route stage 1: Monreale - Palermo
Giro 2020 Favourites stage 1: First fight for pink
Giro 2020 Route stage 2: Alcamo - Agrigento
Giro 2020 Favourites stage 2: For punchers and power sprinters
Giro 2020 Route stage 3: Enna - Etna
Giro 2020 Favourites stage 3: Climb fest on Moun Etna
Giro 2020 Route stage 4: Catania – Villafranca Tirrena
Giro 2020 Route stage 5: Mileto - Camigliatello Silano
Giro 2020 Route stage 6: Castrovillari - Matera
Giro 2020 Route stage 7: Matera- Brindisi
Giro 2020 Route stage 8: Giovanazzo - Vieste
Giro 2020 Route stage 9: San Salvo - Roccaraso
Giro 2020 Route stage 10: Lanciano - Tortoreto Lido
Giro 2020 Route stage 11: Porto Sant'Elpidio - Rimini
Giro 2020 Route stage 12: Cesenatico - Cesenatico
Giro 2020 Route stage 13: Cervia - Monselice
Giro 2020 Favourites stage 13: Back to the fast men, or...?
Giro 2020 Route stage 14: Conegliano - Valdobbiadene
Giro 2020 Favourites stage 14: Young guns versus old hand
Giro 2020 Route stage 15: Rivolto – Piancavallo
Giro 2020 Favourites stage 15: Battle for pink intensifies
Giro 2020 Favourites stage 17: Monster Mountains for HC climbers
Giro 2020 Route stage 18: Pinzolo – Laghi di Cancano
Giro 2020 Favourites stage 19: Last chance for fast finishers
Cycling Calendar 2020
BinckBank Tour 2020: Riders
La Flèche Wallonne 2020: The Route
La Flèche Wallonne 2020: Riders
La Flèche Wallonne 2020: Favourites
La Flèche Wallonne Femmes 2020: The Route
Vuelta 2020: The Route
Vuelta 2020: Riders
Vuelta 2020 Route stage 1: Irún - Santuario de Arrate
Vuelta 2020 Route stage 2: Pamplona - Lekunberri
Vuelta 2020 Route stage 4: Soria - Ejea de los Caballeros
Vuelta 2020 Route stage 5: Huesca - Sabiñánigo
Vuelta 2020 Route stage 6: Biescas - Tourmalet
Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2020: The Route
Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2020: Riders
Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes 2020: The Route
Vuelta 2020 Route stage 3: Lodosa - Laguna Negra
