2021 Vuelta a España Stage 18 Live Coverage
Welcome to our live coverage of Stage 18 of the 2021 Vuelta a España! Our live profile and commentary are below, followed by a preview of the technical aspects of the route.
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On paper, the 18th stage is the hardest of the entire Vuelta. The route features an elevation gain of more than 5,000 metres on a 162.6 kilometres route with four climbs. The finale is played out on the Gamoniteiro, a 14.6 kilometres climb at 9.8%.
The first 40 kilometres of the race climb false flat to the foot of the Puerto de San Lorenzo. This is an ascent of 9.9 kilometres long with an average gradient of 8.6%. The fourth and fifth kilometre are relatively easy, while the two kilometres before and after that section rise at over 11%.
Up next is the Alto de la Cobertoria, which is another grinding test. Again a prolonged false flat before the actual ascent of 7.9 kilometres goes up with an average gradient of 8.6%. The second half climbs at almost 10%.
The riders enter the calm before the storm. There is little going on for kilometres before the Alto La Segá del Cordal appears. This is a gentle way to get ready for the brutal finale, as the 12.2 kilometres ascent is averaging 3.8%. A steady climb for a change.
As soon as the riders reach the valley the route goes vertical again. The Alto de Gamoniteiro is the definition of a monster climb. The first slopes and a section halfway up are relatively easy, the rest of the route points heavenward with double digit gradients. The last kilometre is the hardest with an average gradient of 13%.
The Alto de Gamoniteiro is 14.6 kilometres long and the average gradient sits at 9.8%.
The first three riders on the line gain time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds. Furthermore, 8, 5 and 2 seconds are available at the top of the Alto La Segá del Cordal.
The 18th stage of La Vuelta starts 12.38 and the race is expected to finish around 17.30 – both are local times.
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