The first 110 kilometres are far from flat, but the climbing intensifies in the last 90 kilometres. The riders tackle the Alto de Vilachán (6.5 kilometres at 5.4%), Alto de Mabia (6 kilometres at 5.7%), Alto de Mougás (9.8 kilometres at 6.4%) and Alto de Prado (5.5 kilometres at 6,3%) before entering the extremely irregular finale on the Alto Castro de Herville: 9.7 kilometres at 4.8%, but also with 1 kilometre at more than 10%.
Normally, the hilly specialists would be fighting for the stage honours, while the GC riders kept their powder dry for stages with longer and tougher climbs. But that’s not an option, as these are the last ascents of La Vuelta. After the Sanxenxo-Castro de Herville stage there is only one race left, and that’s an ITT.
We expect the hilly specialists to fight for the stage honours and simultaneously a battle for the podium and top 10. The red jersey? Roglic has been in a class of his own for three weeks and will be for two more days – at least.
Favourites 20th stage 2021 Vuelta a España
*** Ion Izagirre, Michael Storer, Romain Bardet, Sepp Kuss
** Koen Bouwman, Pavel Sivakov, David de la Cruz, Tom Pidcock
* Thymen Arensman, Jesús Herrada, Lawson Craddock, Felix Großschartner
Another interesting read: route 20th stage of the 2021 Vuelta.