DIRECT. Vuelta 2021: follow the 9th stage – Franceinfo

La Vuelta enters Andalusia for this ninth steep 188 km stage, Sunday August 22, between Puerto Lumbreras and the Alto de Velefique. A course without a meter flat and where the runners will have to swallow more than 4,500 m of elevation during the day. Placed on the eve of the first day of rest, the stage has a very generous menu with a series of passes, all placed in the second part: the Alto Collado Venta Luisa (1st cat., 1,970 m), the Alto de Castro de Filabres (3rd cat., 1,257 m) and the Alto de Velefique (HC, 1,800 m).

A crossing at high altitude on arid and winding roads that could make some leaders dizzy and make many others salivate to make or widen the difference in the general. In 2009, the Canadian Ryder Hesjedal won the only finish at the top of this 13.2 km long pass but rather rolling on the top, with 6.4% average.