The race sets off from Bilbao to move westward and continue into Cantabria. The finish lies at the unprecented Pico Jano. For this to happen the last 4 kilometres of the climb were paved, as the section starting at the Alsa reservoir used to be a dirt road.
The Pico Jano begins in Bárcena de Pie de Concha and the first 7.6 kilometres to the reservoir go up at 7%. The ascent then levels out a little only to bounce back to an unforgiving 14.9% in the last 600 metres. From base to finish the climb adds up to 12.6 kilometres and averages 6.6%.
The run-up to the Pico Jano is vintage Vuelta. Two KOM climbs and plenty of uncategorised uphills are the exhausting requisites in a race that revolves around the finish climb. In order of apperance the riders tackle the Alto de la Escrita (5.5 kilometres at 4.5%), Puerto de Alisa (8.7 kilometres at 5.8%), Alto de Hijas (3.9 kilometres at 9%) and Collada de Brenes (6.8 kilometres at 8.2%) before the Pico Jano presents the final test. The race includes an elevation gain of more than 4,000 metres.
Ride the route yourself? Download GPX stage 6 Vuelta.
The race is expected to finish around 17:30 local time (CEST).
Another interesting read: results 6th stage 2022 Vuelta.
Vuelta a España 2022 stage 6: route, profiles, more
Click on the images to zoom