Given the COVID-19 situation, nobody knows how long the Vuelta will actually last, so it is a solid guess that the GC riders will put pressure on one another from day one onwards. Stage 4 and stage 5 are not suited for that, but the ascent to Laguna Negra is.
Large time gaps are not to be expected on the climb, but – just like in shorter stage races – every second counts. Furthermore, the first three riders on the line gain time bonuses.
The course of stage 3 is vintage Vuelta. The route until the finishing climb is not too demanding. To be frank, the Laguna Negra ascent is not very trying either. It commences as a false flat, takes it up a notch and continues at 6% gradients before the last kilometre goes up at almost 10%.
The Jumbo-Visma/Team Sky approach is likely to be applied. High pace on the climb and the leader’s acceleration after the flamme rouge.
Favourites 3rd stage 2020 Vuelta a España
*** Richard Carapaz, Michael Woods, Primoz Roglic
** Tom Dumoulin, Esteban Chaves, Davide Formolo, Thibaut Pinot,
* Daniel Felipe Martínez, Chris Froome, Daniel Martin, Andrea Bagiolo, Alex Aranburu
Another interesting read: route 3rd stage of the 2020 Vuelta.
Vuelta a España 2020 stage 3: profiles
Click on the images to zoom
Related articles Riders - Vuelta 2020 Withdrawals - Vuelta 2020 Favourites - Vuelta 2020 GC Favourites - Vuelta 2020 More articles Critérium du Dauphiné 2023: Zimmermann outguns Burgaudeau, Vingegaard still in yellow
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023 Route stage 6: Nantua - Crest-Voland
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023 Route stage 7: Porte-de-Savoie - Col de la Croix de Fer
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023: Riders
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023: GC Favourites
Critérium du Dauphiné 2023 Route stage 8: Le Pont-de-Claix - La Bastille, Grenoble
Tour de Suisse 2023: The Route
Tour de Suisse 2023: Riders
Tour de Suisse 2023 Route stage 1: Einsiedeln - Einsiedeln
Tour de Suisse 2023 Route stage 2: Beromünster - Nottwil
Tour de Suisse 2023 Route stage 3: Tafers - Villars-sur-Ollon
Tour de Suisse 2023 Route stage 4: Monthey - Leukerbad
Tour de Suisse 2023 Route stage 5: Fiesch - La Punt
Tour de Suisse 2023 Route stage 6: La Punt - Oberwil-Lieli
Tour de Suisse 2023 Route stage 7: Tübach - Weinfelden
Tour de Suisse 2023 Route stage 8: Sankt Gallen - Abtwil
Cycling Calendar 2023
Tour de France 2023: The Route
Tour de France 2023: Riders
Tour de France 2023: GC Favourites
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 1: Bilbao - Bilbao
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 2: Vitoria-Gasteiz - San Sebastián
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 3: Amorebieta-Etxano - Bayonne
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 4: Dax - Nogaro
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 5: Pau - Laruns
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 6: Tarbes - Cauterets
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 7: Mont-de-Marsan - Bordeaux
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 8: Libourne - Limoges
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 9: Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat - Puy de Dôme