Vuelta 2018 Route stage 7: Puerto Lumbreras

Vuelta 2018 Route stage 7: Puerto Lumbreras - Pozo Alcón

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Friday, 31 August 2018 – La Vuelta a España's 7th stage commences in Puerto Lumbreras, not too far from the Mediterranean coast in Murcia. At 185.7 kilometres, the route sets sail to the blistering heat of inland Andalusia, where the race ends with a promising finale in Pozo Alcón.

Puerto Lumbreras lies some 50 kilometres from the coast and this leg only takes the riders further inland. Except the temperatures along the way to soar into the 40s.

Once the flag is dropped the road rises slightly, which is typical for what the day holds in store. A route that’s going up and down without ever getting steep. Two 3rd category climbs are the biggest hurdles – the first one at kilometre 117, the second one opening up the finale with 12.7 kilometres left to race. After the top the route continues with short drops and ramps to a false flat to the line.

The 7th stage of La Vuelta ends on a local circuit of 50 kilometres, which features the above mentioned climb. The finale opens on a 4.5 kilometres slope at 5.4% before a 4.1 kilometres downhill leads to a 1.7 kilometres climb at 7.8%. Then the road continues as a false flat for 5.5 kilometres. A sharp left-hander appears 300 metres before the line.

Arrival place Pozo Alcón is located near the Parque Natural Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y las Villas.. which is the largest protected area of Spain.

The first three riders on the line take time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while the intermediate sprint (at kilometre 177) comes with 3, 2 and 1 seconds.