Recently, La Vuelta rather often ventured into the sweltering Extremadura region to try out unprecedented climbs. Such as Piornal in 2022 (Remco Evenepoel victory) and Pico Villuercas in 2021 (Romain Bardet victory).
This time it’s Pico Pitolero that will debut on the Spanish Grand Tour. The 13.8 kilometres climb at 7% offers double digit material from kilometre 9 onward until it evens out after the flamme rouge. 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 24%.
Cold comfort for the riders: the last kilometre flattens out to 2.1%.
The first three riders on the line gain time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while the intermediate sprint comes with 6, 4 and 4 seconds.
Ride the route yourself? Download GPX 4th stage 2024 Vuelta.
Vuelta a España 2024 stage 4: route, profile, more
Click on the images to zoom
Related articles More articles Giro 2024: Live report stage 12
Giro 2024 Route stage 12: Martinsicuro - Fano
Giro 2024 Favourites stage 12: Hilly race with wall in finale
Giro 2024: Withdrawals
Giro 2024: The Route
Giro 2024: Riders
Giro 2024 Route stage 13: Riccione - Cento
Giro 2024 Favourites stage 13: For fast finishers #4
Giro 2024 Route stage 14: Castiglione delle Stiviere - Desenzano del Garda
Giro 2024 Favourites stage 14: ITT for pure specialists
Giro 2024 Route stage 15: Manerba del Garda - Mottolino
Giro 2024 Favourites stage 15: Key stage in high mountains
Giro 2024 Route stage 16: Livigno - Monte Pana
Giro 2024 Favourites stage 16: Attackers over the Cima Coppi
Giro 2024 Route stage 17: Selva di Val Gardena – Passo Brocon
Giro 2024 Favourites stage 17: Double up on the Brocon
Giro 2024 Route stage 18: Fiera di Premiero - Padova
Giro 2024 Favourites stage 18: For fast finishers #6
Giro 2024 Route stage 19: Mortegliano - Sappada
Giro 2024 Favourites stage 19: High mountain breakaway
Giro 2024 Route stage 20: Alpago – Bassano del Grappa
Giro 2024 Favourites stage 20: Last chance for climbers
Giro 2024 Route stage 21: Rome - Rome
Giro 2024 Favourites stage 21: For fast finishers #7
Cycling Calendar 2024
Tour de France 2024: The Route
Tour de France 2024: Riders
Tour de France 2024 Route stage 1: Florence - Rimini