Vuelta 2018 Route stage 16: Santillana del Mar - Torrelavega

Departure place Santillana del Mar is famous for its three lies. The town is neither holy (Santa), not flat (llana) and its not located on the sea (mar) either.

The fact that it is not holy and not on the sea either will not bother most riders, yet the fact that the route is rolling and not flat at all will be a disappointment to most of them. The route is rather demanding – we are in Spain, who would expect otherwise?

The first kilometre sets the tone with its 5% slope and following the descent the route continues on rolling roads to the next uphill section. At kilometre 9.4 the riders climb for 1 kilometre at 4% before the longest climb of the day appears almost 3 kilometres later. The 3.4 kilometres long sector slopes at an average of 4%. Following a 3 kilometres drop the last uphill sector climbs for 2 kilometres at 3.5% before the last 10 kilometres to the line in Torrelavega are either flat or downhill.

The profile of the route reminds of the individual time trial in last year’s Vuelta, although that route was 8 kilometres longer. Chris Froome took the stage win, 29 seconds ahead of Wilco Kelderman with Vincenzo Nibali almost 1 minute back.

Former World Champion Oscar Freire and Juan José Cobo were born in arrival place Torrelavega. The time trial finishes at the Complejo Deportivo Oscar Freire – or, the Oscar Freire Sports Centre.

Read also: results 16th stage 2018 Vuelta a España 2018.

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