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We have reached at the long anticipated moment of La Vuelta that both fans eagerly await and riders approach with trepidation – Stage 17, the daunting Alto de l’Angliru.
Wednesday marks the pivotal stage where cyclists will confront the formidable Alto de L’Angliru, renowned as one of the most grueling climbs in the world of cycling. This demanding stage spans a challenging 124.5 kilometers, starting in Ribadesella.
MyTopSportsbooks will bring you all the information you need to know about the stage and the contenders.
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| Vuelta a España - Outrights |  |  |  |
| Jonas Vingegaard | -175 | -260 | -260 |
| Sepp Kuss | +175 | +200 | +200 |
| Primoz Roglic | +700 | +800 | +800 |
| Juan Ayuso | +4000 | +5000 | +5000 |
| Enric Mas Nicolau | +6600 | +8000 | +8000 |
Stage 17:
- Start location: Ribadesella/Ribeseya
- Finish location: Alto de L’Angliru
- Date: September 13
- Distance: 124.5km
- Stage type: Mountain
The Contenders
Jumbo-Visma’s three stars Sepp Kuss, the current leader, along with Jonas Vingegaard and Primož Roglič have consistently demonstrated their climbing prowess throughout the Vuelta. Both Roglič and Kuss have secured stage wins, with Vingegaard claiming two of his own.
They currently occupy the top three spots in the general classification standings. This dominance leaves us pondering which rider Jumbo-Visma will ultimately rally behind for Vuelta glory. Kuss, traditionally a valuable domestique, finds himself in the coveted red jersey. However, as the challenging slopes of the Angliru beckon, the stage itself may play a deciding role in this unfolding narrative.
Jonas Vingegaard
Primoz Roglic
Sepp Kuss
While Jumbo-Visma’s trio of leaders dominates the Vuelta, a pack of determined riders is gearing up to challenge their supremacy. Among them is Juan Ayuso of UAE Team Emirates, who trails Kuss by a margin of 2 minutes and 33 seconds. Ayuso stands out as one of the few cyclists capable of staying on par with the Jumbo-Visma powerhouse during this year’s summit finishes.
At just 20 years old, Ayuso has made an impressive impact. His quest for a podium finish will receive valuable support from teammates Marc Soler and João Almeida, forming a formidable three pronged strategy.
Juan Ayuso
Enric Mas, representing Movistar, is a rider with podium aspirations in the general classification. Currently positioned in fifth place, he hopes to capitalize on the challenging gradients of the Angliru to make significant gains in the standings.
Although he has solid climbing abilities, it’s evident that Mas faces fierce competition from the four riders ahead of him, each known for their climbing prowess. To achieve his podium ambitions, Mas will need to deliver a performance at the very pinnacle of his abilities and outshine his rivals.
Enric Mas
Prediction
Remco Evenepoel, representing Soudal–Quick-Step, may not be in contention for the general classification battle in this year’s Vuelta, but he’s undeniably making his mark with a remarkable display of strength. Having secured two stage wins already, Evenepoel’s strategic decision to deliberately lose time on the final climb of stage 16 suggests that he’s eyeing a potential third victory in this race.
This young Belgian rider may not be defending the red jersey, but he has set his sights on the mountains classification. Consequently, he’s keen to accumulate as many points as possible on these categorized climbs, showcasing his versatility and determination in this year’s Vuelta.
Remco Evenepoel
Stage Details
The rugged and lush terrain of Asturias has always provided the Vuelta with iconic climbs, yet none have left as lasting an impression on the race’s history as the formidable Altu de l’Angliru. This daunting ascent made its debut in 1999 when the late José Maria Jimenez conquered its slopes to claim a memorable victory.
Over the years, champions like Gilberto Simoni, Roberto Heras, and Alberto Contador have won on these challenging slopes. Hugh Carthy also etched his name in Vuelta history by winning on the Angliru during the race’s last visit in 2020. The Angliru, known for its unforgiving 24% gradients, invariably forces a selection among the riders. Although the slow pace may not always result in substantial time gaps, this climb unfailingly delivers unparalleled drama.
The forthcoming short Stage 17 promises to be explosively captivating, packing three demanding ascents into the final 56 kilometers of the day. The sequence begins with the Alto de la Colladiella, followed closely by the Alto del Cordal. After a brief yet steep descent, the road mercilessly ascends once more, leading to the Angliru (12.4 kilometers at an average gradient of 9.8%). These statistics only scratch the surface of the story. The gradient remains steadily at 8% on the lower slopes before sharply surging into double digits for the final 6 kilometers, featuring numerous pitches exceeding 20%. Officially categorized as a special category climb, in reality, the Angliru exists in a class of its own.
What happened in Stage 16?
Stage 16 of La Vuelta a España unfolded as another captivating display of dominance by Team Jumbo-Visma. This time, it was Jonas Vingegaard who claimed his second stage victory in this year’s race. The Danish rider executed a solo effort on the final climb, leaving his team mates, including Primoz Roglic and the red jersey wearer Sepp Kuss, trailing behind. By the end of the stage, Vingegaard had narrowed the gap to Kuss to just 29 seconds, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown on Wednesday, when the race tackles the iconic Alto de L’Angliru ascent.
🏆 𝑱𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒔 𝑽𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒂𝒓𝒅
…👑 Primer rey de 𝐵𝑒𝑗𝑒𝑠.
…👑 The first King of 𝐵𝑒𝑗𝑒𝑠.📸 @SprintCycling #LaVuelta23 pic.twitter.com/YMh3TwuDQP
— La Vuelta (@lavuelta) September 12, 2023
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