Vuelta 2024 Route stage 14: Villafranca del Bierzo

Vuelta 2024 Route stage 14: Villafranca del Bierzo - Villablino

Saturday 31 August - The 14th stage is the longest race of La Vuelta. At 200.4 kilometres, the riders travel from Villafranca del Bierzo to Villablino. The finale is the descent of the Puerto de Leitariegos and a short uphill kick to the finish line.

Villafranca del Bierzo is oozing history. A castle, a monastery and several churches are the silent witnesses to a rich past, but in terms of Vuelta history the town of 3,000 is still a virgin.

The riders roll out from Villafranca del Bierzo to head in easterly direction. After Bembibre they turn north towards Matarrosa del Sil after which the route turns gradually to Villablino – yes, the finishing venue. But there are still more than 100 kilometres before a rider will cross the line celebrating.

The huge lap opens with a climb. The Puerto de Cerredo is 9 kilometres long and averaging 4.1%. The ascent gets steeper along the way with the hardest ramps just under the top. The summit is also the border between Castilla y León and Asturias.

A 40 kilometres long descent, with a short uphill section halfway, takes the riders to Cangas del Narcea, which is where the road goes up again. At first it’s merely a false flat, but the gradients increase after the village Bimeda. The Puerto de Leitariegos is 24 kilometres long, while the average gradient sits at 4.1%.

The riders re-enter Castilla y León at the top of the Leitariegos. The first 11 kilometres are on descent before a flat 5 kilometres long run-in to the line.

The first three riders on the line gain time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while the intermediate sprint comes with 6, 4 and 2 seconds.

Ride the route yourself? Download GPX 14th stage 2024 Vuelta.

Another interesting read: results 14th stage 2024 Vuelta a España.