Montoro lies just outside Córdoba. On 14 August 2021 the mercury tipped 47.4 degrees Celsius. With this, the Guadalquivir valley lived up to its nickname ‘pan of Spain’ as it was a historic record for the hottest temperature in the country.
Let’s hope the riders will be spared a new heat record. After leaving they follow the Guadalquivir valley for quite a while. After Mengibar – also famed for its temperatures, with a record standing at 47.1 degrees Celsius – the route turns south.
Shortly before Jaén the riders change direction and head for Mancha Real, gradually gaining height in doing so. The first peak, Puerto de Siete Pililla, is reached after a 9.9 kilometres climb at 3.5% before a descent leads onto a more lumpy section. First a 1.6 kilometres climb at 6.9% and then 4 kilometres at 4.7%.
One could argue that the finish climb begins at kilmetres 137.8, so with 22.5 kilometres remaining. The first part climbs 10.4 kilometres at 5.5% and after a section on the flat the last 8.4 kilometres rise at 7.8% to the line. The final kilometre begins with a descent before the road kicks up again.
It’s the sixth Vuelta finish at the Sierra de la Pandera. Roberto Heras took the spoils in 2002 before he was succeeded by Alejandro Valverde (2003), Andrey Kashechkin (2006), Damiano Cunego (2009), and Rafal Majka (2017).
Ride the route yourself? Download GPX stage 14 Vuelta.
Another interesting read: results 14th stage 2022 Vuelta.
Vuelta a España 2022 stage 14: route, profile, more
Click on the images to zoom
