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Here's what's in store
While the final riders are signing on, complete your own pre-race preparations with a read of our stage 9 preview. Our Spanish correspondent Alasdair Fotheringham has spoken to a few people to see what might be in store, including Dan Martin, who was victorious the last time a Vuelta stage finished at La Covatilla in 2011. Somewhat ominously, he likens it to Mont Ventoux...
And, for no other reason other than it's a cool pic, here's Martin climbing with Vincenzo Nibali back in 2011. Both are here again today, along with Bauke Mollema, who moved into the overall lead that day.
It's almost time for the start!
This is how things stand overall, rather generously extended to include 25 riders...
We're moving. The riders have rolled out of Talavera de la Reina and are currently making their way through the neutralised zone.
The riders are currently bunched up behind the race director's car. There are some pulling alongside and even some nudging in front. Expect a big fight for the break today.
Todays Mountain stage Profile, dear cycling friends don't miss this stage will be a classic. #KeepChallenging #LaVuelta18 pic.twitter.com/yfJeNFwREM
Here we go! Javier Guillen emerges from the sunroof...
We've gone through KM0 but Guillen hasn't waved it underway. Peter Sagan, we're hearing, has punctured...
I suppose you have to wait for the world champion
Sagan is in no hurry as he makes his way up through the cars
Sagan reaches the back of the pack. Here we go.
They're off!
First rider on the move, rather predictably, is Luis Angel Maté, who wears the blue and white spotted jersey as leader of the mountains classification. Plenty of points on offer today.
Thomas De Gendt is also up there. It's always a good sign if you find yourself in a break with him. (I obviously don't say that through experience but I imagine it to be the case).
Lots or riders keen to get involved here.
Around 12 riders have a small gap over a strung-out peloton.
Another chase group of around 12 has been pegged back and the peloton continues full whack.
The leading group with Maté is pulling away.
Mollema is in there, along with Teuns, Leezer, Hollenstein, Van Bilsen. Full list to come.
The peloton bunches up now. They seem content to let this breakaway go up the road.
Here are the 11 escapees
Toilet stops all round in the peloton as the break is allowed to head up the road. Two minutes is the gap and that will continue to grow.
After around 35km the road will start climbing. First up is the Puerto del Pico, a first-category ascent of 15.3km at 5.5%.
Problem for the race leader Molard. He whips off his shoe and it looks like a cleat problem as he grabs a multi-tool and makes some adjustments.
There are some interesting names in this break. Obviously Maté will be going all in for the KOM points and has a teammate with him in Van Bilsen. Mollema is a rider who can challenge for Grand Tour podiums but is stage hunting here, while Ben King has already won from the break at this Vuelta, on a summit finish no less. And then there's Thomas De Gendt and you don't need to say much more about him. Leezer and Hollenstein make it a decent WorldTour participation while Mas, Ezquerra, and Bagues make sure all the Spanish Pro Conti teams - and indeed, with Cofidis, all the wild card teams - are represented.
From a GC perspective, King is the best-placed rider, and perhaps that's why the gap isn't yawning out (it's only 3:20 at the moment). The Dimension Data man is just 6:34 down on Molard. Next best-placed is Mollema at 12:48, while none of the others are within half an hour.
Molard's FDJ teammates are in a line on the front of the bunch and the pace is pretty zippy. They're not chasing hard but they're putting a shift in, clearly unwilling to allow this breakaway much leeway.
In case you missed yesterday's action (it is the weekend, after all), here's our stage 8 report, with all the usual results and photos etc. It was a snoozy day but an exciting finale, with Valverde beating Sagan in an uphill sprint.
The road is rising gently ahead of the official start of the Puerto del Pico.
Crash at the back of the peloton. Loic Chetout (Cofidis) is on the deck in the gutter, while Mickael Cherel (AG2R is really banged up).
Cherel is back on his feet, thankfully. His jersey is ripped to shreds but he swings his leg over his bike and gets going again.
Cherel hangs onto the medical car as he gets his wounds patched up.
Meanwhile FDJ continue their work at the head of the peloton.
The breakaway riders are climbing and are currently negotiating the gentler gradients on the opening phase of the Puerto del Pico.
157km remaining from 200km
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The 11 breakaway riders are all still together as they come into the final 3km of the the Puerto del Pico and the panoramic views get better and better.
The gap back to the peloton has increased to 5:11. FDJ are still on the front, setting a modest tempo.
Maté leads the break into the final kilometre of the climb. We can probably expect him to be sprinting in sight of the banner.
There goes Maté as the banner comes into view. It's not the most intense scrap but the Spaniard grabs maximum points to extend his KOM lead. Mollema and King were also up there.
The group split in two in sight of the line but they're about to join back up on the descent.
144km remaining from 200km
A reminder of the stage profile
FDJ lead the peloton over the top of the Puerto del Pico, 5:23 in arrears.
The Alto de Gredos begins for the 11 leaders. It's 10.1km long but with a modest average gradient of 3.7%.
KOM results at Puerto del Pico (km 52.3)
In terms of the provisional overall KOM standings, my calculations are as follows:
Loic Chetout now gets some attention from the doctors. The back of his skinsuit is almost completely ripped, leaving his back exposed to the beaming sun. There's also some pretty bright road rash on his back and hip, which he's currently getting patched up properly.
135km remaining from 200km
After this climb there's a Cat-2 ascent followed by a tricky descent and a long spell in the 'valley' - though the roads aren't exactly flat. Those roads should ensure that the movement from the GC contenders is reserved exclusively for the final climb to La Covatilla.
Another shout, for those tuning in late, for our preview of today's big summit finish at La Covatilla.
We're heading for the crest of the Alto de Gredos, and another fight for KOM points.
131km remaining from 200km
KOM results at Alto de Gredos
The stil-FDJ-led peloton is still 5:25 behind the 11 leaders.
After two hours of racing the average speed is 35.3km/h.
Movistar in the peloton.
115km remaining from 200km
The breakaway riders continue to stick together on this climb. They're aware of the roads that separate this from the final climb and realise that numbers is probably their greatest strength for the time being.
Here's Molard stopping to fiddle with his cleats earlier
Sagan is dangling at the back of the peloton on this Cat-2 climb.
Antoine Duchesne takes over the pace-making for FDJ but it's pretty relaxed out there as he fetches some supplies from a musette.
106km remaining from 200km
Into the final 2km of the climb for the break and they've found another half a minute. 6:30 is the gap.
As the clock nudges up, Ben King is inching closer to the virtual overall lead of the race...
And there it is. 6:36 now, and that means that if the stage were to finish now, King would be in red.
Here comes the top of the climb...
De Gendt accelerates
102km remaining from 200km
KOM result at Puerto de Peña Negra (km 98)
Mate therefore extends his lead in the mountains classification. Here's how it stands:
Long, fast descent now, and it looks like a fun one.
92km remaining from 200km
81km remaining from 200km
The peloton come through the feed zone and that's going to knock a bit more pace out.
'Put purely and simply, Sunday is crunch time for Colombia’s Miguel Angel López'
72km remaining from 200km
If the break does make it to the foot of La Covatilla, it'd be hard to bet against Bauke Mollema. He came close on stage 5 but this summit finish is a better chance for the Dutchman. Ben King has obviously already won a summit finish at this Vuelta and is clearly in great form. Thomas De Gendt has to be a contender, having won on the Stelvio in the Giro d'Italia and Mont Ventoux at the Tour de France.
Predictions please
@paddyfletch I would love to see Ben King take a second victory and the overall!
55km remaining from 200km
@paddyfletch I would love to see Ben King take a second victory and the overall!
Puncture for Luis Mas in the break but the Caja Rural rider gets back in.
50km remaining from 200km
André Greipel has just won the opening stage at the Tour of Britain, beating Caleb Ewan - the rider who will replace him at Lotto Soudal next year.
43km remaining from 200km
40km remaining from 200km
Ben King must now be starting to think about the possibility of the red jersey. He's currently 3:25 up, provisionally, on Molard, though Valverde - second overall at 37 seconds - might be the bigger threat.
Movistar are on the front now but not bringing the gap down. The Spanish squad have the ability and strength in depth to dominate the final climb, and this could be an important day for Quintana.
Another GC squad we should talk about is LottoNL-Jumbo. They shredded the bunch on the Puerto de Alfacar on stage 4, with youngster Sepp Kuss putting in a big turn. There were no attacks from George Bennett this day but will we see the black-and-yellow jerseys imposing themselves again today?
As I write that, Team Sky punch their way through to the head of the bunch. One of the big questions at this Vuelta so far is whether or not Kwiatkowski can be considered a genuine GC contender. Today should provide an answer.
Team Sky's emergence sees the gap to the break start to fall. 8:50 is the latest check.
30km remaining from 200km
King is straight on it. Mollema, too. Teuns, Ezquerra, and Mas all make their way across.
De Gendt perhaps knew he had to do something. Sky are really upping the tempo in the peloton and the gap is now just 7:45.
Hollenstein now drags himself across to make it six out front.
Movistar have taken over from Sky and the charge continues.
The peloton has finally woken up. King surely won't be in red at the end of the day. It's far from certain the break will contest stage honours.
26km remaining from 200km
Alasdair Fotheringham, who has driven the final climb up to the press room, informs us that there's a big pinchpoint coming with 20km to go, so in a few km's time. And it's steep there, too. A bit later there's a sketchy descent ahead of the final climb.
The approach here is actually a little different to when la Covatilla last featured in 2011. More details - plus insight from Dan Martin and others - in our stage preview.
Bauke Mollema, incidentally, finished second behind Dan Martin on that day in 2011, and took the red jersey from Joaquim Rodriguez. More happy memories in store at La Covatilla for the Dutchman?
There's talk of a headwind on the latter part of the climb, which is exposed. If so, that could deter attacks.
De Gendt accelerates again and Hollenstein struggles.
The six leaders are back together as the road gets really steep.
Team Sky are back on the front as the gap comes down to 7 minutes.
Mate has made his way across to the six leaders.
Luis Mas attacks from the break now as the pace eases. King sets off in pursuit.
De Gendt leads the rest, refusing to panic for the moment.
18km remaining from 200km
King drops Mas.
Fans step out from their front doors to cheer the riders on. These roads are ridiculously narrow and steep.
This is all good for the break, but it's going to be a tricky one for the peloton. Teams will want to be well positioned.
King comes out of the town centre and back onto the smooth tarmac and wider roads. He must be feeling strong today to go solo from this far out. Still 7km to go until the official start of the climb.
Astana hit the front of the peloton now.
A reminder of the overall standings ahead of this big showdown
Astana lead the peloton onto those cobbled, narrow, steep streets.
It's pretty much two abreast here as Astana continue on the front.
Kwiatkowski is well-positioned in third-wheel, but without any teammates in the immediate vicinity.
13km remaining from 200km
Mas has been caught so we have six riders - De Gendt, Mollema, Teuns, Mas, Mate, Hollenstein - in pursuit of King.
King nearly misjudges another tricky corner as the road ducks downhill.
King has found 1:10 on his breakaway companions!
De Gendt drifts off the back of the chase group but he's getting back in now.
King continues to extend his lead. 1:25 now. He gets a bottle from his team car. He could get a fine for that given it's in the last 15km but that will matter little if it helps him win the stage.
In the peloton Sivakov slides out on one of those tricky corners.
9km remaining from 200km
Luis Mas accelerates from the chase group behind.
Team Sky take over from Astana once again. It's Castroviejo, with Kwiatkowski sitting second wheel.
Mollema has taken up the chase, dropping Mas.
Mollema's head is bobbing, while up the road King has his arms folded over his bars, treating this HC climb like a TT. 1:20 is the gap as Mollema starts to peg him back.
The early kilometres are the easiest, and that explains King's position. He won't be able to do that when it hits double digits.
Here's how the climb looks on paper
7km remaining from 200km
King is grimacing. Going that early was always going to be a risk. It could pay off handsomely, but could also backfire.
The peloton begin to climb now. They're 5:49 down on King at the front of the race.
Bora appear at the head of the peloton. Buchmann is third overall, 48 seconds down on Molard and 11 seconds down on Valverde. He has Rafal Majka setting things up for him at the moment.
King starts weaving on the double-digit gradients. This is a much tougher ascent than Alfacar on stage 4.
6km remaining from 200km
The GC men are sitting tight in the peloton on the gentle lower slopes.
King is in trouble now. His head is waving from side to side and his face contorted into a permanent grimace. He weaves across the road before steadying himself again.
It's clear that King is nearing the end of resources but has he timed it perfectly? He gambled by going early but gave himself a headstart of 1:30. At the moment, it looks like it might leave him just short.
Molard dropped
His FDJ teammates have been on the front all day but Molard loses contact now and it looks like he'll be handing over that red jersey at the end of the day. Pinot is still in contention for FDJ.
Zakarin dropped again too.
Still it's Majka on the front of the peloton as it thins out, with compatriot Kwiatkowski lurking behind.
5km remaining from 200km
Molard has lost 35 seconds so far.
The peloton is now becoming more of a 'GC group' as Majka's work continues to enforce a natural selection.
4km remaining from 200km
Simon Yates is moving up towards the front of the GC group, being guided by Haig. For LottoNL Kuss is there again for Bennett.
Quick-Step's young Spaniard Enric Mas is dropped now, too.
Around 25 riders left in the GC group.
3km remaining from 200km
Here's the finale. It gets easier towards the end, which will help King...
No attacks just yet from the GC men.
Molard is drifting all the time and is now 1:15 down on the GC contenders.
Majka pulls over. Huge turn from the Pole. WIll we see attacks now?
2km remaining from 200km
Mollema is running out of ground here and needs to close those last seconds sooner rather than later.
20 left in the GC group.
The road very much flattens out now with just over 2km to go and King may believe once more. He even finds a few more seconds! 20 now!
Kuss hits the front of the GC group now. What a prospect he is.
2km remaining from 200km
Mollema's still bobbing but can't bring the gap back under 20 seconds. It looks like another second place for the Dutchman.
1km remaining from 200km
1km remaining from 200km
Kuss dances on the pedals out of the saddle. Bennett is tucked in behind. No attacks yet...
King is in a world of pain, but he's heading towards the final kilometre and that banner should give him a second wind.
You can almost feel the heaviness of Mollema's legs as you watch him pedal.
1km remaining from 200km
King is going to take his second stage win, that looks certain now.
King reaches 500m to go and looks behind. He surely knows he has this now but these final metres must feel endless still
King shakes his head - almost in disbelief. He knows he has this.
King comes into the final 200 metres
King is shaking his head all the way to the line
One last burst out of the saddle takes him to the line, and he raises his arms in celebration
Ben King (Dimension Data) wins stage 9 of the Vuelta a España
We turn out attention back down the mountain as Quintana attacks!
It's a short-lived acceleration, with Ion Izaguirre tracking it.
A defeated Mollema crosses the line 45 seconds down.
Attack from Kelderman!
Quintana is on Kelderman's wheel as the GC group explodes!
Uran, Lopez and Izaguirre make their way up to Kelderman and Quintana.
This group of five is gaining time on the rest of the field.
Yates is coming over in pursuit. Bennett not far behind. Pinot leading another group a bit further back.
Lopez sprints, finishing with Kelderman and Quintana. Izaguirre a little behind with Uran.
Valverde loses several seconds. Aru plenty more.
Kwiatkowski is going to slip down the standings.
It looks like Simon Yates has done enough to take the overall lead.
Stage 9 result
General Classification after stage 9
King speaks
Here's our report page, with results and photos
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