Vuelta a Espana 2013: Toughest Stages on Route That Will Give Riders Trouble

While the Tour de France receives more recognition, there might not be a more grueling event in cycling than the Vuelta a Espana.

The 23-day race around Spain features a number of long sprints, difficult climbs and plenty of competitors battling for position throughout the event.

Although the first four days did not feature high mountains, the stages have already been quite challenging. Sky Sports Cycling described what the riders went through toward the end of Stage 4:

This type of reaction is certain to continue throughout the event, especially in these stages that will give everyone most trouble.

Stage 5

Like the previous stage, the difficulty on this route will not just be the height of the mountains. Instead, the gradient will be an issue.

Additionally, there will be a lot of up-and-down movement between peaks and valleys that will throw the top competitors off their game. Combining this with what is certain to be tired legs from the previous day, and this will be a tough day of competition.

The ride begins in Sober with a relatively flat start. This changes about halfway into the 174.3 kilometer event as riders are forced up the category-three climb Alto do Covelo. Later in the stage is another climb at the Alto de Padornelo.

Despite these climbs, the race still ends with a sprint, which virtually prevents anyone separating from the pack.

These riders will have to produce plenty of effort without getting much payoff in the form of time toward the overall classification.

Stage 14

If this stage was cut in half, it was still be incredibly difficult.

Stage 14 is the first of three days in the Pyrenees, which leads into a rest day to give the riders a chance at survival.

This is far from the easiest of the three stages outlined here, as the ride goes uphill for about 50 kilometers until it hits a peak at Port de Envalira. Unfortunately for the competitors, the race continues for another 70 kilometers after that.

The remainder of the route features three more peaks that will turn legs to jelly heading toward the finish line. These final kilometers also include some climbs of 15 percent gradient.

Riders who do well on Stages 14-16 have a good chance of winning the race.

Stage 20

While the race involves 21 stages, Stage 20 will be where the event is decided.

The stage only travels a total of 142.2 kilometers, making it the shortest route besides the time trials. However, it makes up for it in difficulty.

There are three challenging peaks on the way from Aviles toward the finish line, but they are nothing compared to the final ascent up Alto de L'Angliru.

According to Cycling News, the final 6.5 kilometers of the course travels at an average gradient of 13 percent and gets even tougher as the stage reaches its conclusion.

Although the race could very well be over by this point, no rider will feel confident about a victory until this stage is over. 

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