Vuelta a España - Stage 6

A vicious second summit finish at Javalembre

The 2023 Vuelta a España promises a great battle for the red jersey

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Vuelta a España - Stage 6

Dates 31 Aug
Race Length 179 kms
Start La Vall d'Uixó
Finish Observatorio Astrofísico de Javalambre
Race Category Elite Men

Updated: August 22, 2023

After two likely quieter days from a general classification perspective, the red jersey hopefuls will be back to the fore on stage 6 for the second summit finish of the 2023 Vuelta a España - in the Sierra de Javalembre.

The 183.1km stage starts out from La Vall d’Uixó and wastes little time heading for the hilly terrain inland of Valencia. The road rises from kilometre zero and then drags towards the first climb of the day, the category 3 Puerto de Arenillas (5.8 km at 4.7%), which is soon followed by similarly cat-3, but much tougher, Alto Fuente de Rubielos (6.1km at 6.2%).

A long lumpy section of the route keeps the riders around the 1000-metre altitude mark before an uncategorised climb to the Bonus Sprint at Torrijas, and a dip down to the big summit finish at the astronomical observatory in the Javalembre mountains.

The final climb itself is known as the Pico del Buitre and measures 10.9km at 8%, rising to just under 2000 metres of altitude. It starts off with two gentle kilometres but soon starts to bite, and a brief mid-climb respite makes way for the toughest section, with 4km at an average of more than 10%. The final kilometre itself hardly eases off, and it’ll be a grinding struggle all the way to the line.

This finish was first - and last - used in 2019, when Angel Madrazo claimed a thrilling victory from the breakaway for second-division squad Burgos-BH. Madrazo won ahead of teammate Jetse Bol that day, with both riders looking the strongest on the final climb ahead of third-placed José Herrada (Cofidis).

Although Madrazo is out injured this year, the Dutch breakaway specialist Bol will be back to try his luck once more. A man always reliable to infiltrate the breakaway, will this be the year that Bol claims his elusive first Grand Tour stage victory?

Climbs:

km 48.7 - Puerto de Arenillas, 5.8km at 4.7% (cat 3)
km 83 - Alto Fuente de Rubielos, 6.1km at 6.2% (cat 3)
km 183 - Pico del Buitre, 10.9km at 8% (cat 1)

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.