The 2020 Vuelta was supposed to finish at the Tourmalet but the COVID-19 pandemic decided differently. The race was not allowed to cross the border and COVID-19 rules forced La Vuelta the re-route the race.
The Aramón Formigal finish came instead of the Tourmalet and that’s where the 13th stage now commences. After crossing the Portalet pass La Vuelta then descends into France to tackle the Col d’Aubisque from the Laruns side. This is a 16.6 kilometres ascent with an average gradient of 7.2%. The steepest stretches – 10 to 13% – are situated between Cascade de Valentin and the Gourette ski station.
The Col du Soulor is a short climb on descent and when the riders are in Les Ganques they enter the Col de Spandelles. This is a 10.4 kilometres climb at 8.1%. The riders fly down into Argelès-Gazost and after a false flat section in the valley the finish climb begins in Luz-Saint-Sauveur. The 18.6 kilometres ascent features eight hairpins and an average gradient of 7.5%. The hardest part is situated after the flamme rouge, as the last kilometre averages 10.5% and ramps up to 13.5% just before the finish.
Thibaut Pinot triumphed on this ascent in the 2019 Tour de France.
The first three riders on the line gain time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while the intermediate sprint comes with 3, 2 and 1 seconds.
Vuelta a España 2023 stage 13: profile, more
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