The first mountainous stage of the Vuelta comes early in the race and there are three nasty climbs on the day's parcours. The two previous times that the Vuelta has visited the ski resort of Covatilla has been in the last week, so this will shake up the GC early in the race. The peloton will have to negotiate the first category Piornal and Honduras before the 12 percent slopes of the Covatilla. Roberto Heras has won here in 2004, so it's one for the pure climbers.
Coming!
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European Cyclocross Championships: Thibau Nys rockets to elite men's title
Belgian defeats Felipe Orts on the final lap with Eli Iserbyt finishing third -
European Cyclocross Championships: Fem van Empel wins women's elite title in thrilling battle with Ceylin Alvarado
Van Empel out-sprints her compatriot in a dramatic final lap as Brand takes third for a Dutch 1-2-3 -
European Cyclocross Championships: Jente Michels defends under-23 men's title
Filippo Agostinacchio in second and Aubin Sparfel third as Haverdings mechanical denies him podium spot -
Wout van Aert to make Cyclocross season debut after December Visma-Lease a Bike training camp
Belgian recovered from season-ending injury, exact date of racing return unconfirmed
