In a flat first phase the road climbs to Arcos de la Frontera, and shortly after, a 1.6 kilometres incline at 7.6% (unclassified) introduces the first proper uphill gradients. It is a prelude to what’s to come.
Odds are that the breakaway has not yet formed as the riders tackle the Puerto del Boyar at kilometre 59. The lesser climbers in the bunch can only hope that the dust has settled down by the time they reach the top of the 14.7 kilometres at ascent 5.5%.
The route continues on rolling terrain, featuring the Puerto de Calerilla (1.5 kilometres at 7.6%, unclassified). The road then descends to the valley floor and 5 kilometres later, the riders climb back up (5.9 kilometres at 4.6%, unclassified). After the intermediate sprint in Ronda there is no descent; instead, the route climbs another 6.6 kilometres at 4.3% on the Puerto del Viento.
The descent is interrupted by a rising section of a few kilometres before resuming downhill to El Burgo. A rolling phase then precedes the Puerto Martinez climb: 3.5 kilometres at 6.3%.
There are still 25.5 kilometers to go upon cresting the Puerto Martinez. Three roughly equal parts make up this final section. Firstly the descent, secondly a rolling section on the valley floor, and lastly the final haul up to Yunquera. The finishing climb is 8.9 kilometers long and the average gradient sits at 3.9%.
Which breakaway rider will manage to bring this exhausting endeavor to a successful conclusion?
Favourites 6th stage 2024 Vuelta a España
*** Dylan Teuns, Filippo Zana, Victor Lafay, Andreas Kron
** Mauri Vansevenant, Thomas De Gendt, Bruno Armirail, Mauro Schmid
* Alessandro De Marchi, Marc Soler, Marco Frigo, Pablo Castrillo, Quinten Hermans
Another interesting read: route 6th stage 2024 Vuelta.
Vuelta a España 2024 stage 6: routes & profiles
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