The first 100 kilometres are the calm before the storm. The scorching heat of the Andalucía region may be the biggest opponent of the riders while they are riding to the base of the Sierra Nevada.
Moments after moving through Granada the uphill party commences in Monachil, with 50 kilometres left to race. The first climb is the Alto del Purche (9.1 kilometres at 7.6%) and then it goes back down again. An undulating climb along a reservoir takes the riders towards the high peaks of the Sierra Nevada. This part climbs for 6.1 kilometres at an average of 5.1%.
A short descent and then the hard work begins. The Alto de Hazallanas is a wall-like test – 4.6 kilometres at 11% – that merges into the finish climb. The two combined add up to 19.3 kilometres and the average gradient sits at 7.9%.
Long story short, stage 15 is a dream come true for climbers with good legs.
Favourites 15th stage 2022 Vuelta a España
*** Primoz Roglic, Enric Mas, Miguel Ángel López, Juan Ayuso
** Richard Carapaz, Carlos Rodriguez, Jay Vine, Remco Evenepoel
* Hugh Carthy, Sergio Higuita, Mikel Landa, João Almeida, Thibaut Pinot
Another interesting read: route 15th stage 2022 Vuelta.