Distance: 184.5km
Category: Rolling
Highest point: 1,240m
The second rest day comes at the end of the Pyrenean stages and before the final encounter with the mountains in Asturias. Burgos has become one of the Vuelta's preferred stepping-of points after transitioning through the Pyrenees, featuring most years on the route since the mid-90s and usually ending in a bunch sprint, with Mark Cavendish, Óscar Freire and Alessandro Petacchi among former victors. Two third-category climbs in the second half of the stage provide reason for optimism among those who get into the break of the day. However, the second of them tops out 50km from the finish, giving the sprinters' teams plenty of time to chase down the day's hares.
TOPICS
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'First time in my life the DS told us to just do nothing' – How are riders and teams really surviving amid extreme heat at the Vuelta a España?
Insight from several riders on the scorching 40°C+ temperatures, and pushing the peloton towards its melting point -
'If the stage had been 80 kilometres longer, I think the same rider would have won' - Vuelta a España leader Enric Mas backs shortening of stage as extreme heat batters race
Spaniard did not form part of CPA meeting with Vuelta organisation despite role as previous rider representative -
'It wouldn't surprise me if a few bodies left in an ambulance' – Triple stage winner Matthew Brennan pulls no punches in assessment of sweltering heat at Vuelta a España
'When I was on the climb at the start, it was 44°C. At that point, you start thinking, 'what are we doing?' says British triple stage winner in Cordoba -
Vuelta a España GC standings – Enric Mas carries red jersey into rest day as more mountains and time trial loom
Movistar allow breakaway to move up the road on stage 15 as Spanish team keep rivals close
