The stage kicks into gear in the French town Sauveterre-de-Béarn in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Following an hour on the flat, the riders tackle the first of two HC climbs. The Col Hourcère is 11.1 kilometres long and averaging 8.7%. A 15 kilometres descent precedes a return to Spanish territory via the second HC climb Puerto Larrau. The first 10 kilometres – actually called Col d’Erroyment – go up at double digits before 3 false flat kilometres make way for the last 2 kilometres at 10.3%.
The riders cross into Spain at the summit of Puerto de Larrau and fly down to the foot of the Puerto de Laza, a short climb of 3.4 kilometers at 6.3%, before the route continues downhill to Isaba. A left hand turn takes the riders back into the mountains. They follow the Río Belagua upstream for 11 kilometres on false flat. The gradients intensify gradually until the final 9.5 kilometres rise at 6.3% to the line. While nearing the finish line, the climb levels out in the last 3 kilometres.
The summit of the finish climb lies close to the Spanish-French border, in Larra-Belagua.
The first three riders on the line gain time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while the intermediate sprint – atop the Puerto de Larrau – comes with 6, 4 and 2 seconds.
Ride the route yourself? Download GPX 14th stage 2023 Vuelta.
Another interesting read: results 14th stage 2023 Vuelta.
Vuelta a España 2023 stage 14: routes, profiles, more
Click on the images to zoom
