Lugo is the capital of the northwestern region Galicia. The town reserves major remains of its Roman past. The intact city walls from that era – built between 263 and 276 A.D and stretching 2.1 kilometres – are one of the trademarks of Lucus Augusti, as Lugo was called in Roman times.
Lugo is situated in the heart of Galicia. In the last of three Galicians stages, the riders set off to the east and finish in Castile-Léon. while doing so, they tackle five intermediate climbs, three of which are KOM-worthy – Alto Campo de Arbre, Alto O Portel, and Puerto de Lumeras. The first two are situated in the first half of the route, while the latter immediately precedes the brutal finish climb. The Lumeras is 6.7 kilometres long and averaging 6%.
The Puerto de Ancares is a beast, rising at almost 12% in the last 5 kilometres and a steepest ramp – almost 20% – inside the final 1.5 kilometres. The entire climb totals 7.6 kilometres, while the average gradients sits at 8.9%. The first 2 kilometres and the last 100 metres are merely a false flat.
La Vuelta last visited the Puerto de Ancares in 2014, although it was tackled on another – but still brutal – side. It was the last call for that year’s red jersey and the race came down to a fascinating fight between the big four. Following attacks by Joaquim Rodriguez and Chris Froome, Alberto Contador outsmarted the lot and took both the stage and the GC victory. El Pistolero crossed the line 16 seconds ahead of Froome with Valverde almost 1 minute in arrears. Purito faded away in the last part of the climb and finished in fourth. Two years before that glorious battle it was the other way around, as Rodriguez triumphed ahead of Contador, Valverde and Froome with Dani Moreno squeezed into fourth position.
The first three riders on the line gain time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while the intermediate sprint – at the Puerto de Lumeras – comes with 6, 4 and 2 seconds.
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Another interesting read: results 13th stage 2024 Vuelta a España.
Vuelta a España 2024 stage 13: routes, profiles, more
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