Vuelta 2024 Favourites stage 12: Compact attrition race with uphill finish

foto: Cor VosThe 12th stage of La Vuelta travels from one short climb to the next until the road rises steadily over the last 15.4 kilometres at an average gradient of 4.7%. The route takes in an elevation of over 3,000 metres across 137.4 kilometres. (Slideshow route/profile)

It’s the kind of stage where anything can happen. A breakaway group fighting for the win with a few minutes’ lead? Possible! A GC team maintaining a high pace all day to inflict pain on their rivals in the final climb? Just as likely!

Interestingly, the riders face no KOM climbs until the finishing climb kicks in. But that doesn’t mean the stage is flat. Right from the start, the road ascends for 3 kilometres at 7.9%. After the descent, the route continues to undulate before rising gradually and eventually culminating in a 2.9 kilometres climb at 5.8%. By the time the riders reach the top, they have covered 20 kilometres.

Throughout the day, the route continues to go up and down. Notable climbs include a 700 metres test at 8.1% (after 50 kilometres), 2.5 kilometres at 4.7% (after 66 kilometres), 2.9 kilometres at 6.9% (after 74 kilometres), and 4.1 kilometres at 4.2% (after 103 kilometres). The final 15.4 kilometres of the route serve up an average gradient of 4.7%.

For those eyeing up the stage win: the best opportunity to make a difference is in the last 2.5 kilometres, where the gradient hovers around 7 to 8%, before flattening out to 3.2% in the final 400 metres.

Attrition is the key word in the 12th stage of La Vuelta. Given the not overly challenging final climb, a successful breakaway seems the most likely outcome.

Favourites 12th stage 2024 Vuelta a España

*** Brandon McNulty, Jay Vine, Einer Rubio, Matthew Riccitello
** Primoz Roglic, Richard Carapaz, Adam Yates, Enric Mas, Mikel Landa
* Marc Soler, Attila Valter, Sam Oomen, Harold Tejada, Max Poole, Gijs Leemreize

Another interesting read: route 12th stage 2024 Vuelta.