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 7.6 kilometers and the average gradient sits at 6%.
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 kilometres at 6%.
And on we go. After the descent and 10 kilometres on the flat the Alto de la Llama adds 7.1 kilometres at 5.1% to the mix. 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: 9.3 kilometres at 4.1%.
The route does not continue on descent. Instead, an undulating section takes the riders to the foot of Les Praeres. The climb in the Sierra de Peñamayor is a 3.9 kilometres torture with an average gradient of 12.9%. The final haul up kicks in hard with a 16% slope in the first 2.2 kilometres.
The brutal Les Praeres wall first featured in La Vuelta 2018. Simon Yates took the spoils before he went on to win the red jersey that year.
Ride the route yourself? Download GPX stage 9 Vuelta.
The 9th stage of La Vuelta starts at 12:40 and the race is expected to finish around 17:30 – both are local times (CEST).
Vuelta a España 2022 stage 9: route, profile, more
Click on the images to zoom
