Vuelta 2022 Route stage 9: Villaviciosa

Vuelta 2022 Route stage 9: Villaviciosa - Les Praeres

Sunday 28 August - Stage 9 at La Vuelta is 175.5 kilometres long and, more importantly, takes in four intermediate climbs before serving a finale at the steep Les Praeres de Nava.

Rolling roads form the backdrop in the first hour of racing. Then the Alto del Torno appears, which is an irregular ascent with double digit ramps playing leapfrog with false flat sections. The climb totals 8.3 kilometers and the average gradient sits at 5.7%, while the first 3.5 kilometres are the hardest part.

The descent features a number of uphill kicks and after 10 kilometres on the flat the riders enter the Mirador del Fito. Another irregular ascent of 9.6 kilometres at 5.7%.

And on we go. After the descent and 10 kilometres on the flat the Alto de la Llama brings 5.8 kilometres at 5.8% to the table. It’s a prelude to a more lumpy section with an uncategorised climb and a descent down to sea level – to be more, precise, back to starting point Villaviciosa. Then La Campa forms the penultimate test: 8.3 kilometres at 4%.

The route does not continue in descent but and undulating section takes the riders to the foot of Les Praeres. The wall first featured at La Vuelta 2018 with Simon Yates takeing the spoils. The climb in the Sierra de Peñamayor is a 4 kilometres torture with an average gradient of 12.5%. The final haul up kicks in hard with a 16% slope in the first 2.2 kilometres.

Ride the route yourself? Download GPX stage 9 Vuelta.