Vuelta 2019 Favourites stage 12: Punchers with strong descent
La Vuelta serves a promising finale in its 12th stage, to say the least. A 2.2 kilometres ramp with an inclination of more than 10% is crested with 7.6 kilometres to go. The finale is a flying descent into Bilbao's city centre. (Slideshow route/profile)
The finale is similar to the Clásica San Sebastián. The route moves through Bilbao to tackle one last climb. Short but brutal. This is the terrain where World Champion Alejandro Valverde thrives. He won the Clásica twice and finished six times on the podium.
The 12th stage of La Vuelta basically comes down to the last 40 kilometres. First an uphill to stretch the legs and then, in order of appearance, Alto Urruztimendi, Alto El Vivero and Alto de Arraiz.
The Urruztimendi is the last climb’s little brother – 2.5 kilometres at 9.2% – before Alto de Vivero serves 4.3 kilometres of climbing at 7.7%. The statistic is slightly misleading as the middle section is double digit material. A 15 kilometres downhill leads to the foot of the decisive Alto de Arraiz. The 2.2 kilometres climb slopes at 12.2%, while the second part features sections well over 20%.
The riders fly down a 7.6 kilometres descent into Bilbao’s city centre.
Favourites 12th stage 2019 Vuelta a España
*** Alejandro Valverde, Primoz Roglic
** Wout Poels, Esteban Chaves, Fabio Aru
* Daniel Felipe Martínez, Pierre Latour, Tadej Pogacar
Take a look at the route of the 11th stage of La Vuelta.
Vuelta a España 2019 stage 12: profiles, interactive map
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