Most of the race takes place at an elevation hovering around 1,000 metres above sea level. That is, in the valleys. On five occasions the riders climb to 1,500 and to 1,850 metres.
The peak of the first climb will serve as the finish, although the initial ascent of the Puerto de Navacerrada is on another side. The 10.3 kilometres climb at 6.8% peaks out after 34 kilometres of action at an elevation of 1,859 metres.
The riders descend to continue on undulating terrain, which lasts until Navafria, after 83 kilometres of racing. The ensuing climb is 9.8 kilometres, averages 5.5%, and is followed by the shortest and easiest ascent of the day. The Puerto de Canencia is 7.5 kilometres long and goes up at 4.9%.
The riders descend into Miraflores de la Sierra and that’s where the finale, with almost 50 kilometres to go, more or less opens. The Puerto de la Morcuera is a 9.4 kilometres test with an average gradient of 6.9%. After the ensuing descent and 10 kilometres on the flat the final climb begins.
The Puerto de Cotos adds up to 10.3 kilometres of climbing at 6.9%. The riders reach the summit 6.7 kilometres before the finish line. That last section is a false flat run-in to the line at the top of today’s first climb, the Puerto de Navacerrada.
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Another interesting read: results 20th stage 2022 Vuelta.
Vuelta a España 2022 stage 20: route, profile, more
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