La Vuelta ventured twice into the sweltering Extremadura region in the last four years to try out unprecedented climbs. The Piornal debuted in 2022 (Remco Evenepoel victory) and Pico Villuercas in 2021 (Romain Bardet victory).
The Villuercas returns this year, although only the last 2.4 kilometres are identical to 2021’s finish climb. Back then the riders came from the east; this time, they approach from the north. So the finish is identical, but the climb itself is not.
The riders set off from Plasencia for an intriguing first part of the race. They tackle the Puerto de Cabezabellosa (9.2 kilometres at 5.4%) and Pico de Piornal (13.9 kilometres at 5.6%) within the first 55 kilometres. A long descent then leads onto a prolonged section on the flat.
The route goes uphill again on the Puerto de Miravete. After 8 kilometres of climbing at 4.5%, the riders reach a plateau, and they continue towards the finish climb on an undulating section of 32 kilometres.
The Pico Villuercas is a 14.6 kilometres ascent at 6.2%, which serves up double digit material from kilometre 10 onwards. Moreover, while getting steeper, the road conditions worsen. This part is merely a narrow corrugated concrete track with relentless double-digit gradients and a maximum tilt of 20%. After 2.9 kilometres at 13.4% the torture lessens until it evens out to 2.1% after the flamme rouge.
The first three riders on the line gain time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while the intermediate sprint – at the summit of the Miravete – comes with 6, 4 and 2 seconds.
Ride the route yourself? Download GPX 4th stage 2024 Vuelta.
Another interesting read: results 4th stage 2024 Vuelta a España.
Vuelta a España 2024 stage 4: route, profiles, more
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