The Puerto de Montserrat is 8.2 kilometres long and the average gradient sits at 6.9%. The descent begins a kilometre after the summit and leads the riders to a flat run-in of 10 kilometres into Igualada.
Is the pay-off worth the investment? Obviously, this question will loom large in the buses of the sprint teams. Pure sprinters are sure to crack on the Puerto de Montserrat, but the likes of Bo Hagen might stand a chance. A fast descent could repair possible damage.
If sprint teams don’t feel tempted to control the break, odds are that (late) attackers will get the spoils. Although a sprint with a reduced peloton is another possibility.
Favourites 8th stage 2019 Vuelta a España
*** Philippe Gilbert, Valerio Conti, Tao Geoghegan Hart
** Edvald Boasson Hagen, Luka Mezgec, John Degenkolb, Sam Bennett
* Thomas De Gendt, Luis León Sánchez, Patrick Bevin, Ben King
Take a look at the route of the 8th stage of La Vuelta.
Vuelta a España 2019 stage 8: profile and finale
Click on the images to zoom
Related articles Route stage 8: Valls – Igualada - Vuelta 2019 The Route - Vuelta 2019 Riders - Vuelta 2019 Withdrawals - Vuelta 2019 Favourites - Vuelta 2019 Favourites - Vuelta 2019 More articles Giro 2026: Route
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