Vuelta 2021 Route stage 16: Laredo - Santa Cruz de Bezana

Tuesday 31 August - The 16th stage of La Vuelta goes from Laredo to Santa Cruz de Bezana. The race along the Cantabrian coast is 180.0 kilometres long. Fairly sprinter-friendly course.

The route is not entirely flat, but the ascents are not very demanding. Moreover, the hardest climbs appear with still a long way to go.

Laredo is known for its kilometres long beach, but the riders don’t get a taste of it. They do follow the coast line for awhile though – yet, without seeing much of the Cantabrian Sea – and after almost 70 kilometres the route turns inland and 35 kilometers later the only classified climb of the day appears. The Alto de Hijas is 4.2 kilometres long and slopes at 6.5%.

The Alto de San Cipriano – 5.5 kilometres at 4.4% – is a non-categorised climb that’s crested with 50 kilometers to go. Then the route continues as before. That is, on flat to undulating terrain.

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 16th stage 2021 Vuelta.