La Vuelta 2021 - Stage 9: Puerto Lumbreras > Alto de Velefique - 188kms **Spoilers**
blazing_saddles
Posts: 20,675
Stage 9: Puerto Lumbreras > Alto de Velefique - 188kms
22-08-2021Start time 10-55am
The 188 kilometres between Puerto Lumbreras and the summit of the Vuelta’s first special-category climb, the 13.2 kilometres of Alto de Velefique, features around 4,500 metres of vertical gain, with the majority of the climbing packed into its final third. On rolling roads the riders travel in southwesterly direction, before turning West, where the climbing begins in earnest. Another turn towards the South, before that route does an about face, to head North to tackle the final climb.
Velefique is a former mining town in the Sierra de Filabres. Race director Fernando Escartín has said this stage resembles the one in 2009 that finished on this same summit. Victory that day went to Ryder Hesjedal, the Canadian finishing a second clear of Spaniard David García.
The Climbs:
Alto Collado Venta Luisa averages a benign 4.4 per cent but stretches for a whopping 29km, topping out at just under 2,000 metres.
Finishing Climb:
Alto de Velefique's opening kilometres are extremely difficult, the rest, fairly modest. So, hopefully attacks will start early.
As this stage comes before the rest day, expect the GC action to take centre stage. The likelihood is that the breakaway will be controlled as the battle for the red jersey intensifies.
Favourites 9th stage 2021 Vuelta a España
*** Egan Bernal, Primoz Roglic, Adam Yates
** Mikel Landa, Miguel Ángel López, Richard Carapaz, Giulio Ciccone
* Sepp Kuss, Mark Padun, Romain Bardet, Ion Izagirre, Rafal Majka
Puerto Lumbreras
3 stages of La Vuelta
15.780 inhabitants.
La Vuelta’s last departure from Puerto Lumbreras forms part of the race’s recent history. In 2018, Tony Gallopin won the stage that started in this locality and ended at Pozo Alcón. In 2021, the stage will conclude at the demanding Alto de Velefique, at an altitude of almost 2000 metres. Not quite at that altitude, but crowning Puerto Lumbreras, is the Astronomical Observatory of Cabezo de la Jara, a main attraction for researchers and astronomy lovers from all over the world.
Murcia is well known for its incredible gastronomy. The fertile valleys of the region produce high-quality fruits and vegetables which feature heavily in many dishes.
Pastel de Carne
This super traditional Murcian dish was made across the whole of Spain since medieval times. It more or less disappeared in the 19th century but Murcia kept the recipe alive.
Caballitos – The name literally means “little horses”, and probably comes from the fact that these deep fried battered prawns served on skewers look a little bit like seahorses.
Alto de Velefique
1 stage of La Vuelta
230 inhabitants.
This impressive Almería mountain pass will host a La Vuelta finale for the second time.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
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Can’t do Tuesday that week either.
I will try for Wednesday but no promises
@DrHeadgear
The Vikings are coming!
Wilier Cento Uno SR/Wilier Mortirolo/Specialized Roubaix Comp/Kona Hei Hei/Calibre Bossnut
I am not sure. You have no chance.
Comes back together, Carapaz goes and Movistar chase him down. Now Yates has gone and again Movistar lead the chase rather than trying to force JV's hand