Vuelta 2024 Favourites stage 14: Breakaway artist with descending skills

foto: Cor VosThe 14th stage of La Vuelta is very straightforward. The route is essentially a mix of false sections and two climbs, while the finale goes downhill. GC riders have nothing to gain, and it's too tough for the sprinters, so attackers, eat your hearts out! (Slideshow route/profile)

The road ascends gently from the start. Without exceeding 4%, the slope intensifies slighly after 17 kilometres and again after 36 kilometres. For two hours straight the route climbs at shallow gradients to finishing venue Villablino and shortly thereafter, in Caballes de Abajo, the Puerto de Cerredo begins, a 7 kilometres climb at 4.6%.

A descent of roughly 50 kilometres – with an uphill section halfway – brings the riders to Cargas del Narcea. From there, the road ascends gently again, becoming more pronounced after 10 kilometres. This is the Puerto de Leitariegos, a 22.8 kilometres climb with a clockwork steady gradient of 4.5%.

Upon cresting the Leitariegos, there are 16.5 kilometres to go. This involves a fast descent, with two technical sections, leading back to Caballes de Abajo. The final 3 kilometres are flat.

Favourites 14th stage 2024 Vuelta a España

*** Wout van Aert, Marc Soler, Bruno Armirail, Jhonatan Narváez
** Victor Campenaerts, Jesús Herrada, Filippo Zana, Max Poole
* Ion Izagirre, Alessandro de Marchi, Cristián Rodríguez, Pablo Castrillo

Another interesting read: route 14th stage 2024 Vuelta.