Cycling: On October 20th, the Vuelta a Espana 2020 will be the third and final Grand Tour. This time, however, only 18 stages have to be completed. We look at all the stage profiles and take a look at the teams.
Vuelta a Espana 2020: Angliru & Tourmalet
After the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia, the Vuelta a Espana 2020 caught up. However, there is an overlap with the Tour of Italy, so that nobody can tackle the Double Giro/Vuelta this season. In addition, the Tour of Spain has only 21 sections in the program instead of 18 stages. The reason for this is the elimination of the first three stages, which should have been held in the Netherlands. The rest of the route remains unchanged even after the postponement. Beginning in northern Spain, over the course of the Vuelta a Espana conquered the Col du Tourmalet and the Alto de l'Angliru. Both times there is a rest day afterwards. In the final week there is only a mountain finish on the Alto de La Covatilla. In addition to the 19 WorldTour teams, the wildcard teams Burgos – BH, Caja Rural – Seguros RGA and Total Direct Énergie are at the start.
The 22 participating teams
- AG2R La Mondiale (France)
- Astana (Kazakhstan)
- Bahrain – McLaren (Bahrain)
- Bora – hansgrohe (Germany)
- Burgos – BH (Spain)
- Caja Rural – Seguros RGA (Spain)
- CCC (Poland)
- Cofidis (France)
- Deceuninck – Quick-Step (Belgium)
- EF Pro Cycling (US)
- Groupama – FDJ (France)
- Ineos (UK)
- Israel Start Up Nation (Israel)
- Jumbo – Visma (Netherlands)
- Lotto – Soudal (Belgium)
- Mitchelton – Scott (Australia)
- Movistar (Spain)
- NTT Pro Cycling (South Africa)
- Sunweb (Germany)
- Trek - Segafredo (USA)
- Total Direct Energy (France)
- UAE Team Emirates (UAE)
This Tour of Spain is for the sprinters
In recent years, the organizers of the Vuelta a Espana have been known for putting on a tour for the climbers. Sprinter-friendly stages could easily be counted on one hand. There were numerous mountain climbs to master. And if the sections did not run through the high mountains, then some climb was usually built in for the last few kilometers. For 2020, the Vuelta a Espana has reinvented itself in this regard. Because for the first time in many years, the tour seems to have something in store for the sprinters. We could see up to seven mass sprints. Especially the last week of the Vuelta a Espana 2020 is almost too easy by their standards. Also due to the corona pandemic and the tight schedule, it could well be that we are part of the sprinter field of the Tour de France 2020 also be able to admire this year at the Vuelta a Espana.
All stages of the Vuelta a España 2020 at a glance
Stage #1: Irun – Eibar
Date: October 20, 2020
Length: 169,5 km
Type: hill stage
Due to the corona pandemic, the Vuelta a Espana 2020 cannot start in the Netherlands. Instead, it begins again in the Basque Country for the first time since 1961. The almost 170 km long and very bumpy gallop will directly challenge the class riders. Even if no large distances are to be expected, one or the other professional could experience a nasty surprise here.
Stage #2: Pamplona – Lekunberri
Date: October 21, 2020
Length: 151,0 km
Type: hill stage
The classification drivers also have to be vigilant on the 151 km long section to Lekunberri. A sprint finish is excluded. It also seems unlikely that a group will get through so early in the tour. So the top riders have no choice but to seize the stage and fight for valuable seconds again.
Stage #3: Lodosa – La Laguna Negra de Vinuesa
Date: October 23, 2020
Length: 163,8 km
Type: hill arrival
All good things come in threes. For the third day in a row, the ranking drivers are in demand. Today's mountain finish should ensure a slightly larger gap for the first time and thus already a first meaningful overall rating. But the Vuelta a Espana 2020 is still long - and made for a late catch-up race.
Stage #4: Numancia - Ejea de los Caballeros
Date: October 23, 2020
Length: 190,0 km
Type: flat stage
The sprinters can finally put their skills to the test. The 190 km section from Numancia to Ejea de los Caballeros leads without a single climb. The classification riders should be happy to finally enjoy a little rest and the sprinter teams will not let this victory of the day be stolen from them.
Stage #5: Huesca – Sabiñánigo
Date: October 24, 2020
Length: 185,5 km
Type: hill stage
Today the escapees should have a chance to win the day for the first time. The three climbs in the last third of the race are too hard for the pure sprinters, but much too easy for the class riders. If the breakaway composition is right, we'll see a breakaway success in Sabinanigo today!
Stage #6: Biescas - Col du Tourmalet
Date: October 25, 2020
Length: 135,6 km
Type: mountain arrival
One day before the rest day - and the professionals will be able to make good use of it - a real king's stage is on the program. The unenviable pros have to conquer two top-category mountains and one first-category mountain today - and the challenges become more and more difficult as the stage progresses. The Vuelta travels French soil and climbs the Alto del Portalet, the Col d'Aubisque and the legendary Col du Tourmalet. If you want to win the Vuelta a Espana 2020, you have to be at the forefront today. Only a true champion can triumph here.
Stage #7: Vitoria-Gasteiz - Villanueva de Valdegovia
Date: October 27, 2020
Length: 160,4 km
Type: hill stage
The day after the first rest day belongs to the breakaways. The sprinters will not survive the Puerto de Orduna. For the ranking riders, the way to the finish after the mountain classification is too far. They will also save themselves for tomorrow's mountain finish.
Stage #8: Logroño – Alto de Moncalvillo
Date: October 28, 2020
Length: 164,5 km
Type: mountain arrival
Valuable seconds are at stake again for the ranking drivers. However, it will only really get down to business on the final climb. However, this one has it all and will punish small weaknesses mercilessly. With a lot of goodwill from the top favorites, a strong climber could fight for the day's victory from a breakaway group.
Stage #9: Castrillo del Val – Aguilar de Campoo
Date: October 29, 2020
Length: 163,6 km
Type: flat stage
Only on the 9th stage do the sprinters have their second chance of winning the day. Therefore, the fastest men in the world will certainly not let this stage win be stolen. Pulling out today borders on pointlessness. Persevering in the high mountains will pay off for the sprinters.
Stage #10: Castro Urdiales - Suances
Date: October 30, 2020
Length: 187,4 km
Type: flat stage
And again the sprinters are allowed to decide among themselves who wins the day. Just like the section from the previous day, the course of the race today should only be endurable for true cycling enthusiasts for several hours on TV. Let's hope that at least the landscape makes for great pictures.
Stage #11: Villaviciosa – Alto de La Farrapona
Date: October 31, 2020
Length: 170,2 km
Type: mountain arrival
It's now! Anyone who has perfected their form structure for the last few days of the Vuelta a Espana 2020 must start today at the latest to convert this top form into a gain in time. If the competition overspent themselves at the beginning of the tour, all of this will take revenge today. If there's a comeback in the general classification, the foundation stone for it has to be laid today.
Stage #12: La Pola Llaviana – Alto de l'Angliru
Date: November 1, 2020
Length: 109,2 km
Type: mountain arrival
The Alto de l'Angliru will be the scene of the decision. Due to the overall very short stage, the final climb will cause even more large time gaps. All your performances from the previous days are worth nothing in relation to the overall victory if you are not able to perform at your best today. If a top driver is already far behind, a preliminary decision can certainly be made at the Alto del Cordal. Either way: The overall winner will finish in the top 3 today.
Stage #13: Muros – Dumbría/Mirador de Ézaro
Date: November 3, 2020
Length: 33,5 km
Type: Individual Time Trial
The first and only time trial of the 2020 Vuelta a Espana takes place one day after the second rest day. In addition to the day's victory, valuable seconds in the overall ranking are of course also at stake here. However, how valuable these will actually be depends on the current status in the overall ranking. Normally we should already have minute gaps here - which means that the fight for seconds is somewhat in the background. The decisive factor for the day's victory should be which strong time trialist has divided up his strength so well that he doesn't collapse on the last meters uphill.
Stage #14: Lugo – Ourense
Date: November 4, 2020
Length: 205,8 km
Type: hill stage
Mass Sprint in Ourense! At least the stage profile looks very much like it, because the three climbs shouldn't pose any major problems for the sprinters here. However, if the teams doubt the abilities of their sprinters, a breakaway group could decide the day's victory among themselves.
Stage #15: Mos – Matosinhos
Date: November 5, 2020
Length: 178,0 km
Type: flat stage
The Vuelta a Espana arrives in Portugal. If the wind doesn't provide us with additional excitement here, this day should be less interesting to watch. An escape group will form immediately after take-off. Then the teams of sprinters control the pace and finally we get to see a mass sprint in Matosinhos.
Stage #16: Viseu (POR) – Ciudad Rodrigo
Date: November 6, 2020
Length: 177,7 km
Type: flat stage
Hard to believe, but even today the sprinters should be able to decide the day's victory among themselves. Back in Spain there will be little chance for the escape group. The classification drivers are eagerly awaiting tomorrow.
Stage #17: Sequeros – Alto de La Covatilla
Date: November 7, 2020
Length: 175,8 km
Type: mountain arrival
On the penultimate day of the 2020 Vuelta a Espana, the current overall leader prays he doesn't suffer a slump. Because even if the profile of the stage up to the final climb doesn't look too difficult, you can definitely tire with this constant up and down. And if you tackle the Alto de la Covatilla too tired, you will get a few minutes at the summit. If the overall classification is really still exciting, a real cycling festival will await us here.
Stage #18: Hipódromo de la Zarzuela – Madrid
Date: November 8, 2020
Length: 125,4 km
Type: flat stage
The Vuelta a Espana 2020 is over. Today, for the pros, it's all about winning the day and reaching the finish line in Madrid safely. In the Spanish capital we get to see a classic Sprint Royal again.
