After an uneventful and probably hot first half of the race the riders enter a demanding, and probably still hot, second half.
The riders reach the base of the first climb in Cañamero, after 79 kilometres of racing. The Puerto Berzocana is a steady climb of 7.7 kilometres at 5.2% and it is shortly followed – and with no descent in between – by the Alto Collado de Ballesteros. Which is a short and sharp ascent on a narrow concrete track. The 2.8 kilometres climb serves an average percentage of 14%.
The 13 kilometres descent is simultaneously a reckon of the finish climb. When they are almost down the pilots move through Guadalupe to enter a lumpy local circuit of 40 kilometres.
Once back in Guadalupe the route returns to the Collado de Ballesteros. But instead of flying down the hill the riders climb up the slopes. When they reach the summit a lefthander takes them even higher up the mountain and they continue to the Pico Villuercas.
The finish climb is 14.5 kilometres long and the average gradient sits at 6.2%. The second half is hardest and features 1 kilometre at 10%. On the narrow road leading to the abandoned military installations at the top the gradient kicks up to 15% just before the line.
At an elevation of 1,580 metres, Pico Villuerca is the highest peak of the Sierra de Guadalupe and also the highest point of the greater Montes de Toledo system.
The first three riders on the line gain time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while there are 3, 2 and 1 seconds available at the intermediate sprint.
Another interesting read: results 14th stage 2021 Vuelta.
Vuelta a España 2021 stage 14: route, profiles, more
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