Vuelta 2024 Favourites stage 13: GC clash on brutal Ancares

foto: Cor VosStage 13 serves up five climbs - three of which are categorized - before the race concludes with the inhumanly steep drag up the Puerto de Ancares. The finishing climb stretches for 7.5 kilometres at an average gradient of 9.3%, with the final 1.5 kilometres not dipping below 13%. It’s the perfect setting for a brutal GC battle. (Slideshow route/profile)

Along the way, the riders crest the KOMs Alto Campo de Arbre (5 kilometres at 5.8%), Alto O Portel (7.7 kilometres at 5.4%), and Puerto de Lumeras (6.6 kilometres at 6%). At the top of the last climb, there are 6, 4, and 2 bonus seconds available, which might entice the GC riders to make a move early.

From the Lumeras, the riders descend for 4 kilometres before entering a 10 kilometre false flat, which then transitions into the first slopes of the Puerto de Ancares. The ascent is monstrous, but it starts out in a cunning disguise. After the first 2 kilometres, the mask comes off and the road ramps up with successive kilometres at 7.9%, 12.3%, 12.1%, 10.2%, and 13.0%. In the final 500 metres, the average gradient of the Puerto de Ancares is a staggering 14.5%.

On paper, this is one of the toughest finishes in the entire Vuelta – along with stages 15, 16, and 19 – making it likely that the GC riders will test each other. Whether this battle will be for the stage win or simply for time gains remains to be seen, but we put our money on – and hope for – the former.

Favourites 13th stage 2024 Vuelta a España

*** Primoz Roglic, Enric Mas
** Mikel Landa, Sepp Kuss, Carlos Rodriguez, Richard Carapaz, Adam Yates
* Ion Izagirre, Jay Vine, Max Poole, Cristián Rodríguez, Matthew Riccitello

Another interesting read: route 13th stage 2024 Vuelta.