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Vuelta 2018 stage 13: Candás - La Camperona 174.8km

Vuelta 2018 stage 13: Candás - La Camperona 174.8km start 12.57 CET

At 174.8 kilometres, the 13th stage of the Vuelta a España is entirely played out in the Principality of Asturias. The riders tackle the Puerto de Tarna as an intermediate climb before the race ends at La Camperona, which is a closing climb of 8.8 kilometres at 6.5%. The last 2 kilometres are toughest as these are averaging 15%.

Only twice before La Camperona served as a summit finish in the Vuelta a España, yet its reputation is that of a classic Grand Tour mountain climb. The ascent lies in the centre of Asturias, about 100 kilometres from the wild coast of the Bay of Biscaye.

In 2014, Ryder Hesjedal climbed to victory at La Camperona. Two years ago Sergey Lagutin was the strongest rider of the early break, while Nairo Quintana took the red jersey that day.

Shortly after the start La Vuelta moves through Gijon and at kilometre 10 the riders tackle the first uphill stretches. A perfect place to initiate the breakaway. At kilometre 39 a similar climb is crested. Following the descent a sheer endless false flat runs to the foot of the Puerto de Tarna, which is a 16.8 kilometres climb at 4.9%. The second half is averaging around 6%, so the first half is a lot easier.

The Tarna is crested with almost 70 kilometres remaining. The riders fly down the mountain before the distance to the foot of the closing climb is as good as flat.

La Camperona amounts to 8.8 kilometres and the average gradient is 6.5%. It starts out quietly, yet in the village Olleros de Sabero the first ramps of horror appear. In this part of the ascent the riders face the steepest stretch of 25%, although that’s an exception in this section. Yet, two more kilometres up the mountain, in Sotillos de Sabero, the party really gets going when the riders turn right. The first kilometre rises at 10% and in the last 2.1 kilometres the route kicks it up a notch with an average gradient of 15%. The section from 2.1 kilometres to 800 metres before the line is 17% and then it ‘flattens out’. That is, the ultimate 800 metres on the mountain of horror are averaging 10%.

Let’s be fair, that’s a Wall – the Wall of Camperona. Power management will be the key to success. In 2014 Alejandro Valverde jumped too early as he was eager to take the red jersey and lost time to his opponents.

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Puerto de Tarna climb
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La Camperona climb
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La Camperona climb more details
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Re:

Koronin said:
Valverde for his 3rd stage win, unless of course the break takes it. He should have learned from 2014 and shouldn't jump too soon.

I don't know about that, I think the strongest climber in the race will emerge on top, and I think Don Alejandro is not that guy. If he stays 10-20 sec to the strongest guy that would be good I think.

Anyway, I think it's Quintana vs Lopez.
 
Gaps have been quite big here for a short climb.

It is basically half an Angliru, with the lead in being shallower

Don't think the break will take it this time. I think it will be Yates vs Quintana.
 
This is the first of three tough days, so I would not expect fireworks, unless Yates thinks he needs some more time on Quintana before Sunday.

The break might well get the win, if Pinot, Nibali or even LRP decides to test out their legs it could be fun viewing.
 
Re:

Robert5091 said:
This is the first of three tough days, so I would not expect fireworks, unless Yates thinks he needs some more time on Quintana before Sunday.

The break might well get the win, if Pinot, Nibali or even LRP decides to test out their legs it could be fun viewing.
Pleaaaaaaase :) .

First of three days, yeah, but with these kind of gradients you can't hold back. Guys will go bells to the wall...in the end.

I don't think the BOD can makeit, unless one or two in it arepremium climbers: otherwise, they'll lose two minutes per km in that monster of a climb.

Yummy.

This one has Yates written all over it, Giro style, when he gets seconds here, seconds there, and many seconds make minutes. I could see a big dig with 1.5km to go and a 20 seconds gain on the next GC guy, 30-40 seconds on most. Some will lose a lot more.

The GC should look very different after tomorrow. And that's only the appetizer for a big week-end.

Yummy!!!
 
Aug 18, 2017
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Re: Re:

Tonton said:
Robert5091 said:
This is the first of three tough days, so I would not expect fireworks, unless Yates thinks he needs some more time on Quintana before Sunday.

The break might well get the win, if Pinot, Nibali or even LRP decides to test out their legs it could be fun viewing.
Pleaaaaaaase :) .

First of three days, yeah, but with these kind of gradients you can't hold back. Guys will go bells to the wall...in the end.

I don't think the BOD can makeit, unless one or two in it arepremium climbers: otherwise, they'll lose two minutes per km in that monster of a climb.

Yummy.

This one has Yates written all over it, Giro style, when he gets seconds here, seconds there, and many seconds make minutes. I could see a big dig with 1.5km to go and a 20 seconds gain on the next GC guy, 30-40 seconds on most. Some will lose a lot more.

The GC should look very different after tomorrow. And that's only the appetizer for a big week-end.

Yummy!!!
On both previous visits to La Camperona the stage was won from a break. In the years 2012 to 2015, where you had three consecutive stages with mountain top finishes, it was only in 2012 that the winner did not come from the break.
 
A surprisingly good season for Cofidis so far. They are perennial underachievers despite having a big budget by PCT standards. This year they were riven with internal squabbling. Yet they have a GT stage for the first time in forever. They have the leaders jersey in a GT today. They have 20 wins and quite a number of them are in HC races rather than just being from little French .1s. Other underperforming teams should consider getting Cedric Vasseur in to start some feuds and get everyone spitting angry.