La Covatilla is a ski resort at an altitude of 1,962 metres, located 220 kilometres west of Madrid. Two years ago Ben King soloed to victory after attacking with Enric Mas inside the last 20 kilometres.
The official distance of the Covatilla climb is 11.4 kilometres with an average gradient of 7.1%, which is really just scratching the surface. The finish climb rises multiple times at double digit gradients. The riders tackle the last 10% ramp with the flamme rouge flying over their head before the climb flattens out. The last 900 metres goes up at around 4%.
But the actual finish climb in itself is not the tricky part, the preceding climbing metres are. The race serves five ascents before the ultimate haul up finally kicks in. In order of appearance these are the intermediate climbs: Alto Portillo de las Batuecas (10.1 kilometres at 6.5%), Alto de San Miguel de Valero (12 kilometres at 3.4%), Alto de Cristóbal (6.2 kilometres at 4.7%), Alto de Penecaballera (4.6 kilometesr at 5.3%) and Alto de la Garganta (12 kilometres at 4.8%).
La Covatilla hosted La Vuelta on five occasions. Ben King succeeded Dan Martin (2011), Danilo di Luca (2006), Félix Cárdenas (2004) and Santi Blanco (2002).
Other interesting reads:
– results 17th stage 2020 Vuelta
– KOM classification
– points classification
Vuelta a España 2020 stage 17: route, profiles, more
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