Vuelta 2024 Favourites stage 15: Mountain goat on monster climb

foto: Cor VosTwo colossal mountain stages flank the second rest day. The 15th stage takes in nearly 3,800 metres of climbing over 142.9 kilometres. The Cuitu Negru finishes off the race with 18.9 kilometres of irregular torture, and an average gradient exceeding 13% in the final 3 kilometres. (Slideshow route/profile)

The riders tackle three climbs in the first 90 kilometres – Alto de la Colladiella (6.4 kilometres at 8.2%), Alto de Santo Emiliano (5.6 kilometres at 4.9%), and again Alto de la Colladiella (6.4 kilometres at 8.2%) – before flying down to the valley.

Upon reaching Figaredo there are 40 kilometres to go; half of it is a gradual uphill false flat and the other half is the final climb.

The Cuitu Negru is an absolute beast of a climb. The first 10 kilometres might not look too bad, with an average gradient of 6.2%, but that’s just a warm-up. The second half is something else entirely, with double-digit gradients for kilometres on end. From kilometre 6 to kilometre 3 from the top, the climb eases off a bit, but then it ramps up again with one kilometre at 12.1%, one kilometre at 13.5%, and the final 900 metres at 13.8%.

Will it be a GC contender or a breakaway rider taking the stage? It’s hard to say in advance, but one thing’s for sure: it will be brutal. Whether the red jersey contenders are fighting for the stage win or just for time gains, it’s every man for himself on this kind of finish.

Favourites 15th stage 2024 Vuelta a España

*** Primoz Roglic, Enric Mas, Mikel Landa
** Jay Vine, Michael Woods, Max Poole, Florian Lipowitz
* Daniel Felipe Martínez, Sam Oomen, Brandon McNulty, Torstein Træen

Another interesting read: route 15th stage 2024 Vuelta.