The first 13 kilometres of the stage are fairly easy, before the riders face the Port del Cantó: 24.7 kilometres at 4.4%. After a long descent and a stretch through the valley – 47 kilometres in total – they reach the Puerto de Creu de Perves. Another monster climb, this time 23.1 kilometres, although only the final 5.7 kilometres really count. This section averages 6.3%.
A further 26.7 kilometres, including a descent and a valley stretch, brings the riders to the foot of the Coll d’Espina. This is a 7.1 kilometres climb with an average gradient of 5.5%.
The riders then plunge towards Castejón de Sos. Crossing the village, there are still 25 kilometres to go and it’s uphill all the way.
Initially, the gradients are modest, but that changes as the riders tackle the actual final climb. It’s a brutal rollercoaster, with steep ramps alternating with short descents. It kicks off immediately with 3.9 kilometres at 9.2%, followed by a mini descent, and then 2.7 kilometres at 9.8% in its wake.
In total, the final climb is 12.1 kilometres long and the average gradient sits at 5.8%, but that hardly tells the full story. Its irregularity makes it an absolute killer.
After the successful break in the first Pyrenean stage, this looks like a prime opportunity for the GC contenders to show their cards. Vingegaard, Ciccone and Almeida have so far made the strongest impression, so if it comes down to a battle among the red jersey hopefuls, they are the ones to watch. If the day favours the breakaway, it will be a matter of taking a gamble on the list of strong climbers who are already well behind.
Favourites 7th stage 2025 Vuelta a España
*** Jonas Vingegaard, Giulio Ciccone, João Almeida
** Wout Poels, Jay Vine, Sergio Higuita, Cristián Rodríguez
* Esteban Chaves, Pablo Castrillo, Chris Harper, Eddie Dunbar, Raúl García Pierna
Another interesting read: route 7th stage 2025 Vuelta.
Vuelta a España 2025 stage 7: profiles & finish route
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