Vuelta 2019 Favourites stage 2: Versatile ride to Calpe
The 2nd stage of La Vuelta features a little bit of everything. So all kinds of riders will be eyeing their chances. A steep climb inside the last 30 kilometres is expected to be crucial. (Slideshow route/profile)
The 2nd stage of La Vuelta is a lumpy affair from Benidorm to Calpe. The first 31.5 kilometres virtually all go uphill on the Puerto de Confrides, so the breakaway is likely to feature strong climbers. On rolling roads the race continues to the Alto de Puig Llorença, which is a regular addition to La Vuelta in recent years. In fact, the climb is the first section of the Cumbre del Sol finishing climb of the editions of 2015 and 2017.
The Alto de Puig Llorença is 3 kilometres long and the average gradient sits at 9.5%. The steepest section appears at the bottom when the road goes up at double digit gradients for a few hundred metres. So this is a perfect place to strike, although there are still 24 kilometres remaining at the summit.
Following a virtually flat section the riders plunge down a 9 kilometres descent before the last 6 kilometres are played out on the flat.
Pure sprinters are unlikely to survive the Alto de Puig Llorença, although they could make it back in the remaining 24 kilometres. It will be interesting to see whether their teams are willing to control the race with such an uncertain outcome. If not, the fate of the breakaway lies in the hands of the squad with the red jersey.
Favourites 2nd stage 2019 Vuelta a España
*** Thomas De Gendt, Philippe Gilbert, Luis León Sánchez
** Valerio Conti, Tao Geoghegan Hart, Edvald Boasson Hagen
* Patrick Bevin, John Degenkolb, Sam Bennett, Fernando Gaviria
Take a look at the route of the 2nd stage of La Vuelta.
Vuelta a España 2019 stage 2: profile and finale
Click on the images to zoom
Watch the highlights of recent races here:
Related articles Route stage 2: Benidorm - Calpe - Vuelta 2019 The Route - Vuelta 2019 Riders - Vuelta 2019 Withdrawals - Vuelta 2019 Favourites - Vuelta 2019 Favourites - Vuelta 2019 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
Like our Facebook page and stay on top of all pro-race information!