Stage 11: Vilanova i la Geltrú — Andorra
What is it? Mountaintop finish!
Got Climbs? Two: The Alto del Refugio, which is a nice warm-up, and the finishing climb from Andorra la Vella.
Red Jersey Battle: Yes! They better race their bikes or I'm going to take away their toys.
Ideal Rider: How about one of those Basque kids like Igor Anton or Egoi Martinez? They like to climb.
@Gavia: Oh Vuelta, why no profile for the finishing climb? Why?
View Ted's Course Map
View Stage Profile
This stage starts on the coast in Vilanova i la Geltrú and heads directly north to finish in Andorra. It's a mountain top finish this time, and the final climb rises 10 kilometers from Andorra la Vella. The category 3 Alto del Refugio offers a nice warm-up for the climbing legs, but in the main, this stage races over flat terrain until the final climb of the day. The finishing climb is 9.9 kilometers and has an aver age gradient of 6.52%. The race organizers couldn't be bothered to give us a profile, unfortunately. So, perhaps it's a long, gradual climb with a steady pitch around 6%, or maybe steep sections alternate with stretches of nearly flat road. I don't pretend to know. With only one climb on the menu, it's likely that a group of favorites will arrive at the finish together and the time gaps should not be ginormous. Never fear, there is plenty more climbing yet to come in this Vuelta.
Live Race Chat
Post-Race Happy Hour
Anton En Fuego!
Igor Anton today celebrated his second stage win of this year's Vuelta a España. The Basque rider looked to be out of the game when Ezequiel Mosquera attacked the lead group that included Joaquím Rodríguez and Vincenzo Nibali. But Anton wasn't done yet. As the piano fell on Rodríguez sending the race leader backwards down the mountain, Anton steadily worked his way back to the front. Soon, he attacked and dropped Mosquera. Anton won the stage solo and had time for a arm flailing victory celebration. Mosquera crossed second, Tondo third, Rigoberto Uran fourth. Anton also took over the lead in the general classification. Vincenzo Nibali sits second at :45 and Xavier Tondo is third at 1:04. David Moncoutié still leads the mountains classification. Grand tour noob, Tejay van Garderen of HTC-Columbia did a good ride in the mountains today and is sitting 14th at 2:27 in the general.
Read all about the stage with kom vuelta!
More Vuelta Features