La Vuelta - Stage 14:- Montoro - Sierra de La Pandera 160.3Km ***Spoilers***
blazing_saddles
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Stage 14:- Montoro - Sierra de La Pandera 160.3Km
September 3rd 2022.
Start Time: 13-05CET
The 160.3km from Montoro, outside Cordoba, to Sierra de La Panera will no doubt be overshadowed by the final punishing summit finish. The first half of the race being predominantly flat, while the second half is mountainous.
Indeed, there are few profiles that lend themselves to general classification battles quite as well as the series of peaks that end with the Sierra de La Pandera.
Montoro lies just outside Córdoba. After leaving they follow the Guadalquivir valley for quite a while. After Mengibar, the route turns south.
Shortly before Jaén the riders change direction and head for Mancha Real, gradually gaining height in doing so.
It’s the sixth Vuelta finish at the Sierra de la Pandera. Roberto Heras took the spoils in 2002 before he was succeeded by Alejandro Valverde (2003), Andrey Kashechkin (2006), Damiano Cunego (2009),
The Sierra La Pandera climb was last raced at the Vuelta in 2017, where Rafal Majka took a summit victory.
The Climbs:
The 3rd Category Puerto de Siete Pilillas, stretches its 3.5% over 10km
The 10.4km 5.5% 2nd Category Puerto de Los Villares hits right before the final ascent.
Final Kms
Toward the middle of the Sierra de La Pandera climb, the road tips up to a kilometre segment with a jarring 14.4% average gradient, while 15% spikes pepper the ascent.
The last 8.4 kilometres rise at 7.8% to the line. The final kilometre begins with a descent before the road kicks up again.
What to Expect.
While the profile lends itself to general classification battle, it also favours a break.
Whether it's a win from a long breakaway or from a GC battle, it will take an exceptional climber to come away with stage honours.
Montoro
Population 9,293
Montoro is a city and municipality in the Córdoba Province of southern Spain, in the north-central part of the autonomous community of Andalusia. It is located about 45 kilometres (28 mi) east-northeast of the capital of the province, Córdoba.
Montoro returns as a La Vuelta stage departure host 22 years after its first and, up until now, only appearance in the year 2000. Over time, the Córdoba city has established itself as one of Andalusia’s greatest nature destinations. The Sierra de Cardeña y Montoro Natural Park is a unique natural area in the South of Spain, one of the last refuges for one of our country’s natural symbols: the Iberian Lynx.
Córdoba cuisine.
Rabo de toro
Rabo de toro has its roots in the glory days of bullfighting in Cordoba. After bullfights in the late 19th century, it was quite common for the city’s poorest residents to gather at the gates of the arena, where the proud torero would distribute the less-desirable parts of the slaughtered animal: the ears, organs, and tail, under the assumption that little usable meat could come from these parts. However, the poor but resourceful housewives and cooks soon discovered that the tail did contain quite a bit of meat, and in fact just a few tails were enough to provide dinner for dozens of people.
Flamenquín
Cured ham and pork loin are rolled together and deep-fried (though some recipes include other ingredients, such as cheese. The origins of flamenquín are muddled, with some sources claiming the dish was invented in the village of Bujalance in Cordoba province, while others trace it back to Andújar in neighbouring Jaén.
Montilla-Moriles wines are practically identical to sherries, with a few important differences. Despite undergoing the exact same production process as their more famous cousins from Jerez, Montilla-Moriles wines are made with the Pedro Ximenez grape (sherries mostly use the palomino fino grape), are not fortified, and are produced exclusively in the province of Cordoba, more specifically in the two towns that make up the name of the D.O.
Sierra de La Pandera
Population 3,679
It has been two decades since La Vuelta climbed the Pandera Mountain Range for the first time. In 2002, this climb was an unprecedented stage finale for the Spanish race. Following Roberto Heras’ triumph, it became a race icon with its 12km ascent.
Jaén
Jaen is the largest producer of Olive Oil in Spain and also world-wide. Just the province of Jaen produces more than the second largest producer country, Italy. With more than 550.000 hectares of olive tree fields and over 60 million trees, it produces 20% of the world’s Olive Oil.
September 3rd 2022.
Start Time: 13-05CET
The 160.3km from Montoro, outside Cordoba, to Sierra de La Panera will no doubt be overshadowed by the final punishing summit finish. The first half of the race being predominantly flat, while the second half is mountainous.
Indeed, there are few profiles that lend themselves to general classification battles quite as well as the series of peaks that end with the Sierra de La Pandera.
Montoro lies just outside Córdoba. After leaving they follow the Guadalquivir valley for quite a while. After Mengibar, the route turns south.
Shortly before Jaén the riders change direction and head for Mancha Real, gradually gaining height in doing so.
It’s the sixth Vuelta finish at the Sierra de la Pandera. Roberto Heras took the spoils in 2002 before he was succeeded by Alejandro Valverde (2003), Andrey Kashechkin (2006), Damiano Cunego (2009),
The Sierra La Pandera climb was last raced at the Vuelta in 2017, where Rafal Majka took a summit victory.
The Climbs:
The 3rd Category Puerto de Siete Pilillas, stretches its 3.5% over 10km
The 10.4km 5.5% 2nd Category Puerto de Los Villares hits right before the final ascent.
Final Kms
Toward the middle of the Sierra de La Pandera climb, the road tips up to a kilometre segment with a jarring 14.4% average gradient, while 15% spikes pepper the ascent.
The last 8.4 kilometres rise at 7.8% to the line. The final kilometre begins with a descent before the road kicks up again.
What to Expect.
While the profile lends itself to general classification battle, it also favours a break.
Whether it's a win from a long breakaway or from a GC battle, it will take an exceptional climber to come away with stage honours.
Montoro
Population 9,293
Montoro is a city and municipality in the Córdoba Province of southern Spain, in the north-central part of the autonomous community of Andalusia. It is located about 45 kilometres (28 mi) east-northeast of the capital of the province, Córdoba.
Montoro returns as a La Vuelta stage departure host 22 years after its first and, up until now, only appearance in the year 2000. Over time, the Córdoba city has established itself as one of Andalusia’s greatest nature destinations. The Sierra de Cardeña y Montoro Natural Park is a unique natural area in the South of Spain, one of the last refuges for one of our country’s natural symbols: the Iberian Lynx.
Córdoba cuisine.
Rabo de toro
Rabo de toro has its roots in the glory days of bullfighting in Cordoba. After bullfights in the late 19th century, it was quite common for the city’s poorest residents to gather at the gates of the arena, where the proud torero would distribute the less-desirable parts of the slaughtered animal: the ears, organs, and tail, under the assumption that little usable meat could come from these parts. However, the poor but resourceful housewives and cooks soon discovered that the tail did contain quite a bit of meat, and in fact just a few tails were enough to provide dinner for dozens of people.
Flamenquín
Cured ham and pork loin are rolled together and deep-fried (though some recipes include other ingredients, such as cheese. The origins of flamenquín are muddled, with some sources claiming the dish was invented in the village of Bujalance in Cordoba province, while others trace it back to Andújar in neighbouring Jaén.
Montilla-Moriles wines are practically identical to sherries, with a few important differences. Despite undergoing the exact same production process as their more famous cousins from Jerez, Montilla-Moriles wines are made with the Pedro Ximenez grape (sherries mostly use the palomino fino grape), are not fortified, and are produced exclusively in the province of Cordoba, more specifically in the two towns that make up the name of the D.O.
Sierra de La Pandera
Population 3,679
It has been two decades since La Vuelta climbed the Pandera Mountain Range for the first time. In 2002, this climb was an unprecedented stage finale for the Spanish race. Following Roberto Heras’ triumph, it became a race icon with its 12km ascent.
Jaén
Jaen is the largest producer of Olive Oil in Spain and also world-wide. Just the province of Jaen produces more than the second largest producer country, Italy. With more than 550.000 hectares of olive tree fields and over 60 million trees, it produces 20% of the world’s Olive Oil.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
4
Comments
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No break yet apparently..."If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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Olive oil production is down 30% due to drought"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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Ridiculous speed so far and the breakaway, such as it is, has less than a minute lead.
Only 80 kms to go as we wait…."Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Finally we get live pictures with 77 kms to go.
Carapaz in the relatively small breakaway which has a minute and a half"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Carapaz looking ambitious. Break less so"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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Good move getting him in there as it’s putting the pressure on Quickstep early. No sure Rodriguez has what it takes to take advantage of it though.0
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Hadn’t realised Carapaz lost time yesterday. I thought he was in a position where he wouldn’t be an immediate threat but would get back in a position to make himself dangerous again.0
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Having Lloyd, Blythe and McEwen chatting away in the background is good. Wittermouth coming back on is not good, for goodness sake.1
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All race commentary has gone out of the window.orraloon said:Having Lloyd, Blythe and McEwen chatting away in the background is good. Wittermouth coming back on is not good, for goodness sake.
Laughing and joking takes over."Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.1 -
Carapaz seems quite good at not doing too much work in these groups.1
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Selection forming from front group"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm1
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No rival teams on GC taking it up from behind"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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As I typed jumbo"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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Gesink has been around forever"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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Gesink going a bit fast"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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LLS going for the head start"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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Still a fairly big group.0
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Carapaz goes0
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Ineos"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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Ineos blocking"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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Thought Ineos were going full Movistar for a minute then0
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Hindley hasn't done much.0
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Break losing 10 secs a km"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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Rog having a go.0
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Don’t think the breakaway will make it as Roglic attacks"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0
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Roglic attacks"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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Remco not responding hastily"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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Remco cracks0
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Remco towing every one else"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
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Remco in trouble ..mas attacks"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0
