After two stages on French soil, stage 3 of the Vuelta passes through Spain to finish in Andorra. Once the flag is dropped the riders hit the first uphill section, which runs to the summit of Col de la Perche, crested at kilometre 34.8. A long descent plunges down into Spain and in La Seu d’Urgell, after approximately 100 kilometres, the climb to Andorra commences.
Firstly Coll de la Rabassa, a 13.2 kilometres ascent at 6.9%. Back in the valley, and moments before entering arrival place Andorra la Vella, the route turns right to climb up the Alto de la Comella. This is an uphill detour of 4.3 kilometres at 8.3% with a steepest ramp of 12% some 800 metres before the summit, making it a perfect spot to strike and be the first rider to plunge down. The descent into Andorra la Vella is almost 7 kilometres.
With three climbs – two of which in the last 50 kilometres -, the 3rd stage of the Vuelta a España is right up the alley of climbers with descending skills.
Favourites 3rd stage 2017 Vuelta
*** Vincenzo Nibali, Chris Froome, Romain Bardet, Adam Yates
** Simon Yates, Alberto Contador, Bob Jungels, Jarlinson Pantano
* Wout Poels, Fabio Aru, Wilco Kelderman, Matej Mohoric
Vuelta 2017 stage 3: Route maps, height profiles, and more
Click on the images to zoom
Related articles The Route - Vuelta 2017 Riders - Vuelta 2017 Withdrawals - Vuelta 2017 Favourites - Vuelta 2017 Start times time trial - Vuelta 2017 GC Favourites - Vuelta 2017 More articles Tour de France 2025: The Route
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 1: Lille - Lille
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 2: Lauwin-Planque - Boulogne-sur-Mer
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 3: Valenciennes - Dunkirk
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 4: Amiens - Rouen
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 5: Caen - Caen
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 6: Baveux - Vire Romandie
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 7: Saint-Malo - Mûr-de-Bretagne
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 8: Saint-Méen-le-Grand - Laval
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 9: Chinon - Châteauroux
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 10: Ennezat - Le Mont-Dore
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 11: Toulouse - Toulouse
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 12: Auch - Hautacam
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 13: Loudenvielle - Peyragudes
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 14: Pau - Superbagnères
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 15: Muret - Carcassonne
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 16: Montpellier - Mont Ventoux
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 17: Bollène - Valence
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 18: Vif - Col de la Loze
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 19: Albertville - La Plagne
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 20: Nantua - Pontarlier
Tour de France 2025 Route stage 21: Mantes-la-Ville - Paris
Tour de France: Winners and records
Giro 2025: The Route Rumours
Giro d'Italia: Winners and records
Cycling Calendar 2025
Tour de France Femmes 2025: The Route
Tour de France Femmes 2025 Route stage 1: Vannes - Plumelec
Tour de France Femmes 2025 Route stage 2: Brest - Quimper
Tour de France Femmes 2025 Route stage 3: La Gacilly - Angers