Vuelta a Espana 2013 TV Coverage: Crucial Information for Grand Tour

One week down, two to go. The Vuelta a Espana is ready to reveal its most dangerous paths, with the mountain stages imminent.

Pre-race favourite Vincenzo Nibali is in prime position to add to his Giro d’Italia title as he seeks to become just the fourth rider to win both races in the same year, but he’ll be all too aware of upcoming challenges.

Let’s take a look at how to follow the action before highlighting the unmissable stages.

UK Viewers

Date	Stage	Channel	Time (BST)
Sunday September 1, 2013	Stage 9: Antequera to Valdepenas de Jaen	Eurosport	3.30-4.45 p.m.
Monday September 2, 2013	Stage 10: Torredelcampo to Alto de Haza Llana	Eurosport	3-4.45 p.m.
Wednesday September 4, 2013	Stage 11: Tarazona to Tarazona	Eurosport	3-4.45 p.m.
Thursday September 5, 2013	Stage 12: Maella to Tarragona	Eurosport	3-4.45 p.m.
Friday September 6, 2013	Stage 13: Valls to Castelldefels	Eurosport	3-4.45 p.m.
Saturday September 7, 2013	Stage 14: Baga to Andorra	Eurosport	3-4.45 p.m.
Sunday September 8, 2013	Stage 15: Andorra to Peyragudes	Eurosport	3-4.45 p.m.
Monday September 9, 2013	Stage 16: Graus to Sallent de Gallego	Eurosport	3-4.45 p.m.
Wednesday September 11, 2013	Stage 17: Calahorra to Burgos	Eurosport	3-4.45 p.m.
Thursday September 12, 2013	Stage 18: Burgos to Pena Cabarga	Eurosport	3-4.45 p.m.
Friday September 13, 2013	Stage 19: San Vicente de la Barquera to Santa Maria del Naranco	Eurosport	3-4.45 p.m.
Saturday September 14, 2013	Stage 20: Aviles to Alto de L'Angliru	Eurosport	3-4.45 p.m.
Sunday September 15, 2013	Stage 21: Leganes to Madrid	Eurosport	3-4.45 p.m.

A highlights show runs on ITV 4 in the evening after each stage.

US Viewers

Date	Stage	Channel	Time (ET)
Sunday September 1, 2013	Stage 9: Antequera to Valdepenas de Jaen	USN	10 a.m. -12 p.m.
Monday September 2, 2013	Stage 10: Torredelcampo to Alto de Haza Llana	USN	10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Wednesday September 4, 2013	Stage 11: Tarazona to Tarazona	USN	10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Thursday September 5, 2013	Stage 12: Maella to Tarragona	USN	10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Friday September 6, 2013	Stage 13: Valls to Castelldefels	USN	10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Saturday September 7, 2013	Stage 14: Baga to Andorra	USN	10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Sunday September 8, 2013	Stage 15: Andorra to Peyragudes	USN	10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Monday September 9, 2013	Stage 16: Graus to Sallent de Gallego	USN	10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Wednesday September 11, 2013	Stage 17: Calahorra to Burgos	USN	10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Thursday September 12, 2013	Stage 18: Burgos to Pena Cabarga	USN	10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Friday September 13, 2013	Stage 19: San Vicente de la Barquera to Santa Maria del Naranco	USN	10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Saturday September 14, 2013	Stage 20: Aviles to Alto de L'Angliru	USN	10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Sunday September 15, 2013	Stage 21: Leganes to Madrid	USN	10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Full coverage is also available online via Universal Sports Network.

Key Stages

Stage 10: Torredelcampo to Alto de Haza Llana, 175.5 km

Monday’s stage marks the end of any ambitious sprinter's Vuelta dreams. They venture into the mountains for the first time, riding an undulating course before two late climbs—first the Monachil ascent and then on towards Alto Hazallanas.

It’s bound to be tight, with riders prevented from establishing a rhythm as the pace constantly changes. Anyone who blasts the opening 150 km will be left crawling through the remaining section as the Vuelta turns serious.

The riders are rewarded with a rest day after their efforts, but by the end many will be out of contention. The opportunity to take huge chunks out of your rivals’ times means this stage, and in particular the conclusion, should not be missed.

 

Stage 15: Andorra to Peyragudes, 224.9 km

This may not prove to be the stage when the Grand Tour is finally won, but it will certainly be one where challenges are ended. Four category-one climbs face the riders during the Vuelta’s longest stage.

It is fitting that the stage finishes in Peyragudes, situated in the French Pyrenees, in homage to the Tour de France’s 100th edition.

With a long descent bridging the gap between the second and third climbs, expect the attacks to happen afterwards on Porte de Bales with the peloton likely to remain in contention up to this point. Only the strongest will be able to break clear, but the rewards for doing so are monumental.

After a marathon slog, the riders face one final 4 km uphill before they can finally hunch forwards on their handlebars and rest their weary limbs.

Stage 20: Aviles to Alto de L'Angliru, 142.2 km

If there is no clear frontrunner by the time we reach the penultimate stage then we are set for a thrilling conclusion.

The race features six climbs, each tougher than the last, but the focus rests on tackling the final one—L’Angliru.

It all comes down to a frightening 12.2 km climb—where the gradient peaks at 23.5 per cent, per Cycling News—where every last ounce of energy will be thrust into the lower limbs as the contenders try to break each other on one of the most demanding ascents in cycling.

Don't be surprised if the winner of stage 20 also tops the general classification.