Stage 6 preview
Úbeda - Córdoba
The heat of the interior
The sprinters should be back in business today, although the one climb on the route is sure to complicate things for them. The Vuelta visits the start town of Úbeda for the first time ever before heading west towards Córdoba across rolling sun-bleached plains. The riders will get a first view of the finish when they pass through it before heading out and over the San Jerónimo climb, where Rabobank’s Lars Boom made a stage-winning move in the 2009 race. The bunch should then come back together, if only because the sprinters know few opportunities lie ahead.
Vuelta flashback 1962, Hostilities break out within the St-Raphaël team
Jacques Anquetil went to the 1962 Vuelta intent on becoming the first rider to win all three grand tours. The St-Raphaël-Helyett team backing him was so potent that on stage 2 they successfully attacked en masse 140km from the finish. By stage 9 to Córdoba, the team held the top six places overall but Anquetil was sixth, almost ~ive minutes down on Rudi Altig. That day, divisions within the team surfaced as Anquetil encouraged an offensive that put Altig’s lead in danger. The German survived and amid the mayhem, local man Antonio Gómez del Moral won the stage.
Details
Distance: 196.8km
Highest point: 775m
Category: Lumpy
Javier Guillén says...
"This is a very important stage for us because it showcases a culturally rich Spanish city. We also have the opportunity for a finishing circuit that takes in the very attractive San Jerónimo climb as well as many of the city’s famous sights."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Most Popular
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
Josh Tarling: 'Things can only go up' at Ineos Grenadiers in 2025
20-year-old calls the challenge of bringing British team back to the top 'exciting' -
Best exercise bikes 2024: Boost your fitness with these home spin bikes
These are the best exercise bikes for training at home, whether you're taking part in classes with motivational trainers or smashing intervals on your own -
Pedro Delgado - 'The reign of Tadej Pogačar will be a dictatorship'
Former Tour de France winner predicts Pogačar will dominate cycling for next five years -
'He can be on the podium of a Grand Tour' - Matteo Jorgenson finds a perfect fit at Visma-Lease a Bike
USA rider talks Grand Tour potential and the difference between racing at Movistar to super team