Vuelta 2021 Route stage 9: Puerto Lumbreras

Vuelta 2021 Route stage 9: Puerto Lumbreras - Alto de Velefique

Sunday 22 August - The 9th stage on La Vuelta takes in three intermediate ascents before the final haul up on the Alto de Velefique. The route adds up to 187.8 kilometres, while the finish climb is 13.2 kilometres long with an average gradient of 7.3%. The elevation gain adds up to almost 4,500 metres.

The first part of the race is not very remarkable. On rolling roads the riders travel in southwesterly direction until the first proper obstacle appears. The Alto de Cuatro Vientos marks the start of the mountainous second part of the race.

The climb – 11.2 kilometres at 3.4% – is crested at kilometre 74.5. The real descent begins 5 kilometres later and continues onto a extended false flat. Then the riders enter the Alto Collado Venta Luisa, which is a climb of 28.6 kilometres with an average gradient of 4.5%.

Shortly after the downhill the Alto de Castro de Fiabres appears. This is a relatively easy test of 6.2 kilometres at 3.5%.

The route saves the best for last. The Alto de Velefique climb opens with a first kilometre at 11.4% before the gradient slowly but gradually level out until the last few hundred metres are merely a false flat. Yet, the 13.2 kilometres toil is not for the faint of heart. The average gradient from base to top sits at 7.3%.

Situated at the base of the finish climb, Velefique is a former mining town in the Sierra de Filabres. In 2009, the summit with the same name was the end station of a stage with over 6,000 metres of vertical climbing. The now retired Ryder Hesjedal powered to the win.

Another interesting read: favourites 9th stage 2021 Vuelta a España.

The 9th stage of La Vuelta starts 11.55 and the race is expected to finish around 17.30 – both are local times.