Vuelta a España - Stage 15

Updated: August 21, 2023

Never in Vuelta a España history has a stage more suited a breakaway victory. Well, that may be a slight exaggeration, but be of no doubt, the likes of Andrea Vendrame (AG2R Citroën), Carlos Verona (Movistar) and Filippo Zana (Jayco AlUla) will look at these pages in the roadbook and grab the highlighter.

Not only is this a medium-mountain day in the Basque Country, but it follows two tough days of climbing and is the final stage before the second rest day. As such, the GC riders and their teams will be content with riding at a moderate tempo between Pamplona and Lekunberri. An undulating couple of hours of racing will begin stage 15, before the front of the race climbs the category 3 Puerto de Lizarraga (19.3km at 2.5%).

As the average gradient will attest to, the Puerto de Lizarraga is not the toughest of challenges, but its final 2.5km at 5.5% may see a definitive break go clear if it is yet to do so. The decisive part of the route will begin with 45.5km to ride, when the race enters a near-30km circuit that will be completed one and a half times before the finish.

The main point of reference in the circuit between Irurtzun and Lekunberri is the Puerto de Zuarrarrate (7.3km at 4.7%), which will be tackled twice - the last of which topping out with just 8.5km to ride. Reaching just 7.8% at its maximum gradient, the category 2 climb is a very consistent climb but could be the launchpad for a stage-winning move, either on the first or last ascent.

Marc Soler (UAE Team Emirates) was the last stage winner in Lekunberri during the Covid-affected 2020 edition of the Vuelta. Whilst the Spaniard may be too busy on team duties to find his way into a race-winning move this time around, the Basque crowds will certainly be looking forward to producing a boisterous atmosphere that was so missed three years ago.

Climbs:

• km 80 - Puerto de Lizarraga, 19.3km at 2.5% (cat 3)
• km 120.2 - Puerto de Zuarrarrate, 7.3km at 4.7% (cat 2)
• km 149.7 - Puerto de Zuarrarrate, 7.3km at 4.7% (cat 2)

We’ll be showing live and on-demand coverage of all 21 stages of this year’s Vuelta a España from Saturday, August 26 to Sunday, September 17, plus daily expert analysis on The Breakaway. Head over to GCN+ now to check the start times of each broadcast so that you don’t miss out on a moment of the action! As always, territory restrictions will apply.

Major Races

See All

Date	Event	Class
29 Jun - 21 Jul	Tour de France	2.UWT
12 Aug - 18 Aug	Tour de France Femmes	2.WWT
4 May - 26 May	Giro d'Italia	2.UWT
28 Apr - 5 May	Vuelta España Femenina	2.WWT

Provided by FirstCycling