In the 2015 Vuelta the route also moved through this part of Spain. The riders cut through Linares on their way to Cazorla, where an intriguing battle for the overall lead was played out by Esteban Chaves and Tom Dumoulin. The Colombian not only won the stage, he also took the red jersey from the Dutchman.
Now the route goes the other way and enters the Parque Natural Sierra de Cardeña y Montoro. In the Natural Park the riders tackle the Alto de Españares, a 3rd category KOM-climb of 10.3 kilometres with an average gradient of 3.6%. No downhill though, the route follows a gradual and rolling descent to the sweltering plains north of Córdoba.
Following a flat section of 10 kilometres, the finale begins 6 kilometres before the line with a 2.4 kilometres slope at 3.4%, while the last 2 kilometres are averaging 3.8% and also feature a 7% kick with 200 metres to go.
The first three riders on the line take time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while the intermediate sprint (at kilometre 123.6) comes with 3, 2 and 1 seconds.
Read also: results/race report 8th stage 2018 Vuelta a España.
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 Route and stages - Vuelta 20 GC Favourites - Vuelta 20 More articles Summer Olympics 2024 Paris: Route ITT (m/w)
Summer Olympics 2024 Paris: Start list + times ITT – men
Summer Olympics 2024 Paris: Start list + times ITT – women
Summer Olympics 2024 Paris: Route road race – men
Summer Olympics 2024 Paris: Riders road race – men
Summer Olympics 2024 Paris: Route road race – women
Summer Olympics 2024 Paris: Riders road race – women
Clásica de San Sebastián 2024: The Route
Tour de France Femmes 2024: The Route
Tour de France Femmes 2024 Route stage 1: Rotterdam - The Hague
Tour de France Femmes 2024 Route stage 2: Dordrecht - Rotterdam
Tour de France Femmes 2024 Route stage 3: Rotterdam ITT
Tour de France Femmes 2024 Route stage 4: Valkenburg - Liège
Tour de France Femmes 2024 Route stage 5: Bastogne - Amnéville
Tour de France Femmes 2024 Route stage 6: Remiremont - Morteau
Tour de France Femmes 2024 Route stage 7: Champagnole - Grand-Bornand
Tour de France Femmes 2024 Route stage 8: Grand-Bornand - Alpe d'Huez
Vuelta 2024: The Route
Vuelta 2024: Riders
Vuelta 2024 Route stage 1: Lisbon - Oeiras
Vuelta 2024 Route stage 2: Cascais - Ourém
Vuelta 2024 Route stage 3: Lousã - Castelo Branco
Vuelta 2024 Route stage 4: Plasencia - Pico Pitolero
Vuelta 2024 Route stage 5: Fuente del Maestre - Seville
Vuelta 2024 Route stage 6: Jerez de la Frontera - Yunquera
Vuelta 2024 Route stage 7: Archidona – Córdoba
Cycling Calendar 2024
Tour de France 2024: Withdrawals