The climb to La Covatilla was included for the last time in the Vuelta a España of 2011. Daniel Martin took the win as he bested Bauke Mollema in a two-up sprint.
The 9th stage of the Vuelta a España amounts to 200.8 kilometres and takes in two climbs in the first 100 kilometres. The Puerto del Pico is a long drag up toil of 15.3 kilometres with an average gradient of 5.6%, while Puerto de Peña Negra climbs for 13 kilometres and its average slope is 4.5%. Following a prolonged transition on the flat the final haul up starts to present itself with 24 kilometres out, although the actual (KOM) climb begins with 11.8 kilometres remaining.
The climb to ski resort La Covatilla begins and ends with slopes of 4%. The first 4.6 kilometres rise at that gradient, as do the last 800 metres. The section in between is averaging 8.5% and features several double digit stretches. The last 10% kick lies just before the flamme rouge.
Favourites 9th stage 2018 Vuelta a España
*** Rigoberto Uran, Fabio Aru, Richie Porte, Steven Kruijswijk
** Bauke Mollema, Simon Yates, Enric Mas
* George Bennett, Ilnur Zakarin, Emanuel Buchmann
(more to follow)
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– route 9th stage
Vuelta a España 2018 stage 9: Route map, height profile, and more
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Details Puerto del Pico
Details Alto de la Covatilla
Profile final kilometres
Route final kilometres
