La Vuelta 2024:- Stage 15: Infiesto – Cuitu Negru, 142.9km ***Spoilers***

Stage 15: Infiesto – Cuitu Negru, 142.9km

Sunday 1st September.

Start Time: 12-50BST.

The second week of competing will conclude with a tough Asturian mountain stage. The double climb of Colladiella will add difficulty to a stage that will culminate at the Cuitu Negru – a true Asturian colossus whose toughest kilometres are found beyond Pajares Ski Resort. It's an extremely long drag with an inhumanly steep finale. Operating since 1954, the Valgrande Pajares ski resort is one of the oldest ski resorts in Spain.

The first and only Vuelta stage finish at Cuitu Negru dates back to 2012. Before that it was a rocky dust road, which was asphalted for the occasion. As a thank you to the road workers, Dario Cataldo dug deep on the Cuitu Negru to hold off his breakaway companion Thomas De Gendt. In the fight for GC Joaquim Rodríguez dropped Alberto Contador in the dying metres to gain 2 seconds, while Alejandro Valverde crossed the line 19 seconds later. Chris Froome – third on GC at that moment – lost 2.32 minutes. Perhaps a sign of what is in storm for some unlucky contender?

Profile.

Map.

The Climbs.

The Finishing Kilometres.

Cuitu Negru is 19.5 kilometres with an average gradient of 5.2%. The first 7 kilometres are negligible, but then it begins. A section at 11% welcomes the riders roughly 7.5 kilometres from the finish, while the last 2.5 kilometres are especially brutal. This section goes up at almost 13% and peaks out at 24% just before the finish.

Infiesto

Infiesto makes its debut hosting a La Vuelta stage departure.

2,367 inhabitants.

Infiesto is the main village and capital of the council of Piloña, although it was not part of an independent parish until 1892, when it separated from that of San Juan to form that of San Antonio. Located within the Council of Piloñas, in the heart of the Principality of Asturias, this locality has already seen the La Vuelta peloton ride through its streets, but in 2024 it will become the host of a stage departure for the first time by firing the starting gun for the stage prior to the rest day.

Cachopo

Cachopo is a meaty delicacy from the Spanish region of Asturias, consisting of two veal or beef steaks filled with cheese and a slice of ham. The whole concoction is then coated in breadcrumbs and fried in hot oil. The dish is traditionally served with roasted potatoes, grilled peppers, and mushrooms on the side.

Cuitu Negru

Cuitu Negru has already hosted a La Vuelta finish-line once before.

10,499 inhabitants.

The peak is located on the boundary between Asturias and Castile and Leon, in the northern part of the country. The great Asturian colossus returns to La Vuelta 12 years after its debut.