Vuelta 2016 Favourites stage 12: Opportunity for good descenders

The route of the 12th stage in the Vuelta a España is similar to the Clásica San Sebastián. The riders are to crest four Basque mountains before a 14 kilometres drop takes the riders to the arrival in Bilbao.

Recent editions of the Clásica San Sebastián were won by Bauke Mollema, Adam Yates, Alejandro Valverde, Tony Gallopin, Luís León Sánchez and Philippe Gilbert. Obviously, results in a oneday race are not interchangeable with a stage in a Grand Tour. Yet, it’s a common fact Gilbert is tailor made for this route, especially since he is such a good descender.

Another good descender in the 2016 Vuelta is Alejandro Valverde.

Favourites 12th stage Vuelta a España

*** Alejandro Valverde, Simon Yates, Philippe Gilbert
** Chris Froome, Alberto Contador, Gianluca Brambilla, Jan Bakelants
* Samuel Sánchez, Luis León Sánchez, Axel Domont, Fabio Felline

Vuelta a España 2016 Stage 12: Route maps, height profiles, etc

Click on the images to zoom

Map with stages

Schema and map

Route 12th stage

Live feed

Profile 12th stage

Climb details Puerto de las Alisas

Final kilometres 12th stage

Instagram @lavuelta

Start and finish at Google Maps

Vuelta a España Tweets