On the penultimate day, the Puerto de Navacerrada plays a pivotal role, as it has so often in La Vuelta’s history. The climb frequently appeared on the penultimate stage, most recently in 2022, when Richard Carapaz claimed victory at the summit and secured the polka dot jersey in the process.
This year, the Puerto de Navacerrada features twice in the finale. The climb can be tackled from several sides, and that’s exactly what the riders will do. After the second climb, there’s even a sting in the tail as the race continues to the Bola del Mundo. The higher the riders climb, the steeper the road becomes. In the last 3.2 kilometres, they’ll face gradients averaging 12.2%, with the steepest section – 23% – coming in the final kilometre.
In 2010, Vincenzo Nibali and Ezequiel Mosquera battled for the overall victory on the Bola del Mundo. Mosquera, later found to have tested positive for HES (a masking agent for blood doping), looked set to claim the title, but Nibali mounted a strong comeback. Mosquera won the stage but lost the overall race.
Two years later, La Vuelta returned to the Bola del Mundo. Denis Menchov bested Richie Porte in the fight for the stage win, while Alberto Contador successfully defended his red jersey against Joaquim Rodríguez’s attacks.
What drama will we see this time?
The climbing begins early. Shortly after the start, the riders tackle the Alto de la Escondida (11 kilometres at 3.7%), followed by the Puerto de la Paradilla (5.5 kilometres at 5.5%). The Alto del León, which is crested at kilometre 59, then throws in 7.4 kilometres at 7.1%.
A quiet phase of approximately 50 kilometres leads to the base of the Puerto de Navacerrada. The first ascent of the Navacerrada is 6.9 kilometres long and averages 7.6%. At the summit, 43 kilometres remain, roughly half of which is a descent.
Once at the bottom, the road begins to rise again toward the second ascent of the Navacerrada. This time, it’s tackled from a different side this time, resulting in a 9.1- kilometre climb with an average gradient of 7.3%.
As mentioned, the Bola del Mundo provides a brutal encore. The last 3.2 kilometres ascend at 12.2%, but when including the Puerto de Navacerrada, the entire finishing climb measures 12.5 kilometres with an average gradient of 8.5%.
Vuelta a España 2025 stage 20: route, profile, videos
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