Chapter 444 - 212: The Final Race Day of the Second Week

The two First Category Climbs in this stage were actually the same ascent. The riders would have to complete a loop that included a Third Category Climb before climbing it a second time. Afterward, they would ride all the way to the final HC Level climb.

This First Category Climb was called the Colladiella Climb (Alto de la Colladiella), located at the 37.5 km and 88 km marks of the stage.

It was 6.5 km long with a steep average gradient of 8%.

The section between the 2 km and 5 km marks was extremely difficult, with the average gradient for each kilometer being 9.1%, 9.8%, and 10.1% respectively.

This showed that the stage truly belonged to the GC contenders. The toll from the earlier climbs alone would be immense.

If they still didn’t attack, it would be unjustifiable.

The Third Category Climb on the loop between the two First Category ascents was the San Emilian Climb (Alto de Santo Emiliano).

It was 5.6 km long, with an average gradient of 4.9% and a maximum gradient of 6.7%.

Without a doubt, this was the easiest climb of the day.

Compared to the other three climbs, this one could hardly be considered difficult.

As for the HC Level climb at the finish, it was the very famous Quintana Negro Climb in Spain.

This HC Level climb was 18.9 km long, with an average gradient of 7.1% and a maximum gradient reaching a staggering 14.3%.

The steepest section of the stage hit gradients of up to 24%.

It should be emphasized that on this HC Level climb, the average gradients for the final three kilometers to the summit were 10.7%, 14.3%, and 14.0% respectively.

It was no exaggeration to say that the true difficulty of riding up Quintana Negro Mountain was significantly harder than even some of the famous HC Level climbs in the Tour de France, such as the Baiye Plateau, Galibier Mountain, and Fengtu Mountain.

After all, having to conserve energy after a continuous 16 km climb, only to then launch an attack on the insane gradients of the final 3 km, was a feat unimaginable and unmanageable for the average cyclist.

For an average cyclist, forget about successfully riding this climb—even getting off and pushing the bike, they would probably struggle to reach the summit over these last three kilometers.

As today’s stage got underway, European Sports host Steve started the broadcast with a resentful rant:

"Damn it, the second week of this year’s Vuelta a Espa?a is finally ending today.

Jimmy, I’ll be honest, I have never seen such a bland, dull, and tedious stretch of racing in a top-tier Grand Tour.

Those top riders look like they’re just going through the motions to fulfill a task for the organizing committee, and they’re all acting more docile than the last.

I just hope that on this last race day of the second week, these highly paid superstars will actually move their legs a little and give us some excitement on the climbs!"

Hearing his friend’s rant, Jimmy could only shake his head with a wry smile and try to smooth things over:

"I don’t think so, Steve.

In today’s race, the GC leaders from every team should go all out to fight for the stage win.

After all, tomorrow is the second rest day.

If they don’t try to attack today, then the chances for riders like O’Connor, Mas, and Adam Yates to turn the tables and take the Red Jersey will be slim to none.

And at the same time, Huang Chong of the Red Bull Bora Team also stated clearly in his pre-race interview today that the team has planned an offensive strategy for him.

His domestiques will do everything they can to help him contend for the stage win and continue to extend his lead in the general classification, ensuring he has a large enough advantage before entering the third week of the race.

So, as for how today’s race will unfold, the fans all over the world watching this live broadcast can definitely have high expectations!"

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