Vuelta a España - Stage 8

Updated: August 21, 2023

Before the first block of racing in the Vuelta a Espana comes to a close, two mountainous days remain that are sure to provide a further restructuring of the GC before the rest day. First up is the second hilliest stage of the first week, with five categorised climbs and a route that guarantees neither a sure-fire breakaway victory nor a winner to emerge from those battling for the red jersey. One could make the case either way and in turn, stage 8 looks set to be an intriguing spectacle to watch.

Beginning in Dénia, the opening 20km are entirely flat before the stage takes on an undulating nature that will not cease until the day’s winner is crowned following the Xorret de Catí climb.

Going up and down for nigh on 130km before the final 15km, the riders will be tasked by four categorised climbs: Alto de Vall d’Ebo (7.9km at 5.7%), Puerto de Tollos (4.2km at 5.6%), Puerto de Benifallim (9.5km at 4.9%) and the Puerto de la Carrasqueta (10.9km at 4.6%). Over 45km separate the summit of the latter - deemed a category 2 test - from the early slopes of the Xorret de Catí, but the Sierra del Maigmó throws up the usual bumps along the way to keep the tension high within the peloton.

The Xorret de Catí itself is the day’s only category 1 climb and it has no doubt earned this status, averaging 10.9% for 3.9km, with its steepest ramps reaching up to 20.6%. Its profile has drawn comparisons with the final test of stage 1 in the 2020 edition, the Alto de Arrate (4km at 9%), leading some to favour stage 8 this time around as one for the GC riders.

In 2020, it was Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) who made the race-winning attack on the Alto de Arrate before a very similar short descent to the finish as this year. From the Xorret de Catí, the riders will have 3.1km to go until the finish, most of which is a descent but ending with a slightly uphill kick of 800m at 3%.

There is one more categorised climb this time around, however than in 2020, making the stage that bit more difficult to control by any GC teams seeking to keep the breakaway on a tight leash. For that reason, there is an opportunity for the breakaway to contest the win, just as it did the last time the Vuelta tackled the Xorret de Catí in 2017, which saw Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal-Quick Step) take his first and only victory at the Vuelta a España to date.

Should the front group take the win once again, expect a strong rider in the ilk of Alaphilippe to be the one to hold off the rampaging GC favourites behind. After the team time trial and a tough start to the race, there will be plenty of suitors for the stage who have lost enough time on GC to have the freedom to roam.

Climbs:

• km 28.5 - Alto de Vall d’Ebo, 7.9km at 5.7% (cat 2)
• km 49.2 - Puerto de Tollos, 4.2km at 5.6% (cat 3)
• km 81.5 - Puerto de Benifallim, 9.5km at 4.9% (cat 2)
• km 109.9 - Puerto de la Carrasqueta, 10.9km at 4.6% (cat 2)
• km 161.3 - Xorret de Catí, 3.9km at 10.9% (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.

Major Races

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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

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