2nd stage, Saturday August 20, ‘s-Hertogenbosch – Utrecht (175.1 km)
If the route of this second stage is generally flat, with only one 4th category difficulty at the 105th kilometer (2.1 km at 2.4%), the riders will have to be vigilant on the road.
Between the wind and the significant road furniture, which had caused several falls during a passage of the Giro in 2010, the favorites for the general classification will want to avoid unpleasant surprises at the start.
6th stage, Thursday August 25, Bilbao – Pico Jano (181.2 km)
First of eight arrivals at the top of this edition with the sequence of the Col de Brenes (6.8 km at 8.2%) and the long ascent of Pico Jano (13 km at 6.55%), both classified in category 1. This last climb, one of the most demanding, could create the first significant gaps in the general classification. Before these last two difficulties, the peloton will have crossed the Puerto de Alisas at the 78th kilometer (8.7 km at 5.8%, category 2).
10th stage, Tuesday August 30, Elche – Alicante (30.9 km)
The day after the second day of rest, the last time of this edition should not pose too many problems for the favorites in the general classification. Among them, Primoz Roglic, impregnable on this event during the last three editions, which he won, will be particularly scrutinized.
Only irregularity of the course, a slight false flat rising in the last two kilometers. Riders will also need to keep an eye out for potential gusts of wind, sometimes violent, along the Levant coast.
Stage 12, Thursday September 1, Salobreña – Peñas Blancas (192.7 km)
After a smooth day, the peloton will be invited to climb the Peñas Blancas (19 km at 6.7%, category 1) to complete this twelfth stage. If its average slope had not led to big differences during the last arrival at the same place, in 2013, the organizers have, this year, decided to extend the effort by 4 kilometers. This final, at the top of a pass culminating at 1,270 m above sea level, could encourage several condemned riders to attack to make a difference in the general standings to take risks.
15th stage, Sunday September 4, Martos – Sierra Nevada (149.6 km)
An essential stage of this Tour of Spain, this fifteenth climb will see the riders confront the Sierra Nevada (2,500 meters above sea level, 19.3 km at 7.9%) during a pure mountain day, with 4,000 m of cumulative vertical drop. The ascent of this off-category pass will pass in particular by the Alto de Hazallanas, (more than 7 km at 10%), before the last 12 kilometers at 7%.
Added to the ascent of the Alto del Purche at the 111th kilometer, this sixth arrival at the summit, the third in four days, announces a real battle between the driving forces of the general classification, who will then be able to benefit from a final day of rest. .
20th stage, Saturday September 10, Moralzarzal – Puerto de Navacerrada (181 km)
Ultimate explanation of this edition, with a stage comprising five mountains at an altitude of more than 1,500 m, three of which are classified in category 1. The scenario of the race could upset the general classification, just like what it happened on the 2015 Vuelta, which featured the same two final climbs, and where Tom Dumoulin, on the verge of winning the competition, was dropped on the penultimate climb by Fabio Aru.
The Italian had thus won the red jersey on arrival, while the Dutchman had fallen to sixth place overall. The teams still having something to play for will have to negotiate this final day in the mountains well so as not to lose everything, on the eve of the arrival in the Spanish capital.
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