The Collado de la Cruz de Caravaca debuts as the end of the stage in the Lapin what will be the third high end of the 78th editionalthough contrary to the two previous ones, in Arinsal and the Javalambre Astrophysical Observatory, there should not be excessive differences on their ramps, although if the leaders are the ones who dispute the victory they could fight for the always juicy bonuses.
The ninth stage of the Vuelta, with which the first cycle will close before the day of rest and transfer from Murcian lands to Valladolid, will take the peloton through the province of Murcia from Cartagena to Alto de Caravaca de la Cruz after 184.5 kilometers.
After the arrival at the always complicated Xorret de Catí, where the general classification was clarified a little more but with a lot of selection still to be made, the Murcian finale could be an opportunity for a break if the main names bet on thinking about the decisive Valladolid time trial Tuesday.
Although the final port only appears as a second category in the road book, it has two areas with ramps with a high percentage, the first two kilometers from the end with areas at 17.5% and 20% and after a slight descent, the The section that gives access to the finish line has a zone at 16%.
The second week of the race presents a high level of difficultywhich could lead to the favorites choosing to take a break while waiting for the Pyrenean stages that everyone points out as decisive.
9th stage: Cartagena – Alto de Caravaca de la Cruz
Distance: 184.5km
Ports:
Km 60.1 Casas de la Marina la Perdiz Alto de Vall d’Ebo (1st): 12.1 km at 5%. Max 12%
Km 184.5 Alto Caravaca de la Cruz (2nd): 8 km at 5.6%. Max 20%
intermediate sprint:
Departure time: 12:20 p.m.
Check In: 17:15
intermediate average: 40km/h