Zero ascents in a race of over 180 kilometres. Are we talking La Vuelta here? Yes, we are. Some false flats and a number of rolling sections – that’s it. Fast finishers, go for it!
Three years ago, the Spanish Grand Tour visited Lleida after a few days of hard climbing in Andorra. Now it’s the exact opposite. In the 19th stage the Vuelta a España sets out to Andorra for the last two mountain stages. In 2015, Danny van Poppel won the sprint in Lleida, finishing ahead of Daryl Impey and Tosh Van der Sande.
Fast finishers in this year’s 18th stage should keep in mind that a false flat of 500 metres begins with 700 metres out. The last 200 metres are flat.
The first three riders on the line take time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while the intermediate sprint (at kilometre 127) comes with 3, 2 and 1 seconds.
Read also: results/race report 18th stage 2018 Vuelta a España.
Vuelta a España 2018 stage 18: Route map, height profile, and more
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