Vuelta 2018 Route stage 14: Cistierna

Vuelta 2018 Route stage 14: Cistierna - Les Praeres de Nava

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Saturday, 8 September 2018 - The 14th stage in the Vuelta a España ends at a summit that has never been included in the Spanish Grand Tour. Les Praeres is a 4 kilometres toil with an average gradient of 12.5%. The 171 kilometres route takes in four intermediate climbs.

The race sets off in Cistierna to return to Asturias over the Puerto de San Isidro (1,520 metres) and continue to an unprecedented arrival at Les Praeres de Nava. The climb in the Sierra de Peñamayor is a 4 kilometres torture with an average gradient of 12.5%. The final haul up kicks in hard with a 16% slope in the first 2.2 kilometres.

Possibly, the break of the day takes shape on the first uphill, which is unclassified and peaks at 8.6 kilometres. The route continues to the aforementioned San Isidro before the riders drop down a descent of almost 30 kilometres to the foot of the next climb, Alto de la Colladona, which is reached halfway. The Colladona is a 5.3 kilometres ascent with an average gradient of 7.1%.

And on it goes to the Alto de la Mozqueta, a 9.4 kilometres climb at 6.2%. A short drop leads to an equally short uphill before the route drops down to San Martín del Rey Aurelio, and 4 kilometres later the penultimate uphill begins. The Alto de la Falla de Los Lobos climbs for 5.2 kilometres at 6.7%. The summit is crested with 21 kilometres remaining and following a drop and a flat section of around 10 kilometres the final haul up appears.

The first three riders on the line take time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while the intermediate sprint (at kilometre 141) comes with 3, 2 and 1 seconds.