La Vuelta 2022 - Stage 15:- Martos - Sierra Nevada. Alto Hoya de la Mora. 153km ***Spoilers***
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Stage 15:- Martos - Sierra Nevada. Alto Hoya de la Mora. Monachil, 153km
September 4, 2022
Start Time 13-05CET
The 15th stage of the Vuelta is played out between Martos and ski resort Sierra Nevada. The run-up in the 153 kilometres long race is unremarkabe, the last 50 kilometres are quite the opposite. Cramming in over 4,000m of elevation gain, stage 15 of this year's Vuelta a España will pack a considerable punch with a jaw-dropping final climb to 2,512m over nearly 30km of continual ascent.
Beginning in Martos, the first 90 kilometres are the calm before the storm. The peloton rides in southeasterly direction towards the Sierra Nevada. The stage undulates over the first 30km to the Puerto del Castillo 3rd Category climb - offering ripe opportunity for a long-range breakaway group.
The riders enter the mountain range with the highest summit – Mulhacén, at 3478.6 metres – of the Iberian peninsula shortly after moving through Granada. It is here that the characteristic of the stage changes dramatically and the serious climbing begins.
The Climbs.
Puerto de Castillo is 6.8 kilometres long and averages 4.5%.
The 1st category Alto del Purche is 9.1 kilometres at 7.6%.
The Sierra Nevada climb adds up to 32.8 kilometres. The gradients are doable at first, but this changes after Güéjar Sierra.
The Alto de Hazallanas is a wall-like test – 4.6 kilometres at 11% – that merges into the finish climb. The two combined add up to 19.3 kilometres and the average gradient sits at 7.9%.
Final Kms.
The enormous climb to Pico Veleta weather station - which in its entirety comprises the highest continuous paved ascent in Europe. The summit sits 2,805m high in the Sierra Nevada, but the race won't go that far.
What to Expect.
With the last 500 metres of gradient gain sitting above 2,000 metres, the effects of altitude is bound to effect the mere mortals among the remaining contenders. Consequently there could be some significant time gaps.
This is definitely one climb that the sprinters will not be looking forward to, as due to it's length and combined with preceding obstacles, they face a race against the dreaded hors delay.
Martos
Population 24.343
The ‘Cradle of the Olive Grove’ makes its La Vuelta debut. In a territory like Jaén, where olive oil is its economic and cultural engine, and holds enormous gastronomic value, Martos stands out for being one the main manufacturers and exporters of this liquid gold. In the Martos municipality, the olive tree is much more than just a product, it is a way of life. It is for this reason that the Fiesta de la Aceituna (or Olive Festival), an event that celebrates this particular fruit, has been held every December for the past 40 years.
Sierra Nevada.
Population 8,007 (Monachil)
Sierra Nevada meaning "mountain range covered in snow") is a mountain range in the Andalusian province of Granada in Spain. It contains the highest point of continental Spain: Mulhacén, at 3,479 metres (11,414 ft) above sea level.
It is a popular tourist destination, as its high peaks make skiing possible in one of Europe's most southerly ski resorts, in an area along the Mediterranean Sea predominantly known for its warm temperatures and abundant sunshine. At its foothills is found the city of Granada, and a little further south, Almería and Málaga.
Parts of the range have been included in the Sierra Nevada National Park. The range has also been declared a biosphere reserve. The Sierra Nevada Observatory and the IRAM radiotelescope are located on the northern slopes at an elevation of 2,800 metres (9,200 ft).
Migas Alpujarreñas
Migas is a dish that demonstrates Spaniards’ genius for turning the humblest ingredients into a tasty snack or meal. Although breadcrumbs are used as its base elsewhere in Spain, the version you’ll find in the Sierra Nevada uses hard wheat flour: this is salted, fried with green peppers, olive oil and garlic until crispy, and garnished with hunks of morcilla and chorizo.
Stewed goat
Another of the Sierra Nevada‘s hearty, country dishes is stewed mountain goat, which can be found on many menus in the Alpujarra region (you can see them roaming free in the mountains above, especially on the foothills of Mulhacén). The recipes vary, but the meat is usually slow-cooked in a rich tomato sauce and served with a heap of garlicky fried potatoes.
September 4, 2022
Start Time 13-05CET
The 15th stage of the Vuelta is played out between Martos and ski resort Sierra Nevada. The run-up in the 153 kilometres long race is unremarkabe, the last 50 kilometres are quite the opposite. Cramming in over 4,000m of elevation gain, stage 15 of this year's Vuelta a España will pack a considerable punch with a jaw-dropping final climb to 2,512m over nearly 30km of continual ascent.
Beginning in Martos, the first 90 kilometres are the calm before the storm. The peloton rides in southeasterly direction towards the Sierra Nevada. The stage undulates over the first 30km to the Puerto del Castillo 3rd Category climb - offering ripe opportunity for a long-range breakaway group.
The riders enter the mountain range with the highest summit – Mulhacén, at 3478.6 metres – of the Iberian peninsula shortly after moving through Granada. It is here that the characteristic of the stage changes dramatically and the serious climbing begins.
The Climbs.
Puerto de Castillo is 6.8 kilometres long and averages 4.5%.
The 1st category Alto del Purche is 9.1 kilometres at 7.6%.
The Sierra Nevada climb adds up to 32.8 kilometres. The gradients are doable at first, but this changes after Güéjar Sierra.
The Alto de Hazallanas is a wall-like test – 4.6 kilometres at 11% – that merges into the finish climb. The two combined add up to 19.3 kilometres and the average gradient sits at 7.9%.
Final Kms.
The enormous climb to Pico Veleta weather station - which in its entirety comprises the highest continuous paved ascent in Europe. The summit sits 2,805m high in the Sierra Nevada, but the race won't go that far.
What to Expect.
With the last 500 metres of gradient gain sitting above 2,000 metres, the effects of altitude is bound to effect the mere mortals among the remaining contenders. Consequently there could be some significant time gaps.
This is definitely one climb that the sprinters will not be looking forward to, as due to it's length and combined with preceding obstacles, they face a race against the dreaded hors delay.
Martos
Population 24.343
The ‘Cradle of the Olive Grove’ makes its La Vuelta debut. In a territory like Jaén, where olive oil is its economic and cultural engine, and holds enormous gastronomic value, Martos stands out for being one the main manufacturers and exporters of this liquid gold. In the Martos municipality, the olive tree is much more than just a product, it is a way of life. It is for this reason that the Fiesta de la Aceituna (or Olive Festival), an event that celebrates this particular fruit, has been held every December for the past 40 years.
Sierra Nevada.
Population 8,007 (Monachil)
Sierra Nevada meaning "mountain range covered in snow") is a mountain range in the Andalusian province of Granada in Spain. It contains the highest point of continental Spain: Mulhacén, at 3,479 metres (11,414 ft) above sea level.
It is a popular tourist destination, as its high peaks make skiing possible in one of Europe's most southerly ski resorts, in an area along the Mediterranean Sea predominantly known for its warm temperatures and abundant sunshine. At its foothills is found the city of Granada, and a little further south, Almería and Málaga.
Parts of the range have been included in the Sierra Nevada National Park. The range has also been declared a biosphere reserve. The Sierra Nevada Observatory and the IRAM radiotelescope are located on the northern slopes at an elevation of 2,800 metres (9,200 ft).
Migas Alpujarreñas
Migas is a dish that demonstrates Spaniards’ genius for turning the humblest ingredients into a tasty snack or meal. Although breadcrumbs are used as its base elsewhere in Spain, the version you’ll find in the Sierra Nevada uses hard wheat flour: this is salted, fried with green peppers, olive oil and garlic until crispy, and garnished with hunks of morcilla and chorizo.
Stewed goat
Another of the Sierra Nevada‘s hearty, country dishes is stewed mountain goat, which can be found on many menus in the Alpujarra region (you can see them roaming free in the mountains above, especially on the foothills of Mulhacén). The recipes vary, but the meat is usually slow-cooked in a rich tomato sauce and served with a heap of garlicky fried potatoes.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
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It's a shame they don't go a bit further (you can ride for another 10km after the pros stop and that averages 8-9%) as the road surface after the barrier is a bit gnarlier, and obviously it gets cooler. I rode it in June and while it was 30 or so in Granada, there was plenty of snow about.
The last 500m or so you kind of have to shoulder your bike to get to the top as it's pretty rocky. Given the penchant for gravel these days, it's surely only a matter of time?
Highest I've been is 4400+ in Peru, coca leaf tea to the fore, and no not riding a bike...
Also a crash victim apparently
Merlier dropped, others begging to struggle.
Very lumpy terrain
Quite amused by Kelderman giving a big smile and a thumbs up, while looking like a plate of raw meat.
Seemed a bit panicky considering McEwen was correct.
Funny old world these days.
Meanwhile, Monachil is one tough old climb.
Surprised by how much water is in that lake, given the drought.