It’s been two years since the Vuelta last visited Luintra. That finale was marked by the Pombar-climb, a 2 kilometres ascent at 7.5% with steepest ramps of 9%. Simon Yates attacked in the main group, gobbled up early attacker Mathias Frank, and soloed to victory. Over the Pombar-climb there were 3.6 kilometres remaining – firstly a flat and with 2 kilometres to go a downhill section, that ran to a 500 metres false flat run-in to the line.
The finale of 2018’s 11th stage is exactly the same.
But before that the riders face a long, hard and hilly day in the saddle. The Puerto de Padornelo is the first climb (6.5 kilometres at 3.7%), and on it goes via the Alto de Covelo (9.3 kilometres at 3.6%), Alto de Trives (11 kilometres at 4%), Alto del Mirador de Cabezoas (15.5 kilometres at 3.2%), and a host of non-classified hills in between those KOMs.
The Mirador the Cabezoas is crested with 17.8 kilometres remaining before the riders fly on descent to the above-mentioned finale.
The backdrop in the last kilometres is breathtaking. The narrow road meanders next to the River Sil. The area is known as Ribeira Sacra, famous for its wines.
The first three riders on the line take time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while the intermediate sprint (at kilometre 159.6) comes with 3, 2 and 1 seconds.
Read also: results/race report 11th stage 2018 Vuelta a España.
Vuelta a España 2018 stage 11: Route maps, height profiles, and more
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Very good summary and pictures of stages, of this fantastic race.