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 188 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 long Alto de Cuatro Vientos marks the start of the mountainous second part of the race.
The climb – 11.5 kilometres at 3.8% – is crested at kilometre 74.5. The real descent begins 5 kilometres later and continues onto an extended false flat. Then the riders enter the Alto Collado Venta Luisa, which is a climb of 29 kilometres long with an average gradient of 4.6%. The hardest part begins after 16 kilometres when the Venta Luisa climbs at double digit gradients for 4 kilometres.
Shortly after the downhill the Alto de Castro de Fiabres appears. This is a relatively easy test of 7.1 kilometres at 3.9%.
The route saves the best for last. The Alto de Velefique climb opens with 5 kilometres at 9% before the gradient levels out to roughly 6%. The ascent adds up to 13.4 kilometres, while 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.
The first three riders on the line gain time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds. Furthermore, 3, 2 and 1 seconds are available at the top of the Alto de Castro de Fiabres.
Other interesting reads: results 9th stage 2021 Vuelta.
Vuelta a España 2021 stage 9: route, profiles, more
Click on the images to zoom
Watch the highlights of recent races here:
Related articles Favourites stage 9: GC clash at the Velefique - Vuelta 20 The Route - Vuelta 20 Riders - Vuelta 20 Withdrawals - Vuelta 20 Route and stages - Vuelta 20 GC Favourites - Vuelta 20 More articles Giro 2022: Girmay outsprints Van der Poel, López stays in pink
Giro 2022 Route stage 10: Pescara - Jesi
Giro 2022 Route stage 11: Santarcangelo di Romagna - Reggio Emilia
Giro 2022 Favourites stage 11: For fast men #4
Giro 2022: Withdrawals
Giro 2022: The Route
Giro 2022: Riders
Giro 2022 Route stage 12: Parma - Genoa
Giro 2022 Favourites stage 12: Strongmen sprinters, or attackers
Giro 2022 Route stage 13: San Remo - Cuneo
Giro 2022 Favourites stage 13: Sprint in Cuneo
Giro 2022 Route stage 14: Santena - Turin
Giro 2022 Favourites stage 14: Hilly race to suit attackers
Giro 2022 Route stage 15: Rivarolo Canavese - Cogne
Giro 2022 Favourites stage 15: Breakaway day at altitude
Giro 2022 Route stage 16: Salò - Aprica
Giro 2022 Favourites stage 16: For pure bred climbers
Giro 2022 Route stage 17: Ponte di Legno - Lavarone
Giro 2022 Favourites stage 17: Climbers eyeing pink
Giro 2022 Route stage 18: Borgo Valsugana - Treviso
Giro 2022 Favourites stage 18: For fast men #5
Giro 2022 Route stage 19: Marano Lagunare - Castelmonte
Giro 2022 Route stage 20: Belluno - Passo Fedaia
Cycling Calendar 2022
Tour de France 2022: The Route
Tour de France 2022: Riders
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 5: Lille - Arenberg
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 12: Briançon - Alpe d'Huez
Vuelta 2022: The Route
Like our Facebook page and stay on top of all pro-race information!