"I would love to win” – Vingegaard to go all in on the Angliru

Stage 13 of the Vuelta a España brings the peloton face-to-face with the climb that strikes fear into even the best riders in the world: the Alto de l’Angliru. At 202 kilometers, the stage is long and bruising, but it is the final 12.4 kilometres of road, averaging nearly 10 percent with ramps that lurch toward 25 percent, that will define the day. Jonas Vingegaard, already in the red jersey and winner of two stages in this year’s race, approaches it with one thing on his mind: victory.

"I would love to win for my son and daughter," he told Sporza. "It's the race I really want to win. It's not that I have to win, but I would love it to honor my son and daughter."

The Dane has been in formidable form throughout the Vuelta. His consistency has allowed him to take command of the general classification, but he has yet to truly test his legs like he will have to today. The Angliru is unlike any other climb in professional cycling, a place where records are few and time gaps can balloon beyond expectation. Roberto Heras’s ascent in 2000, completed in 41 minutes 55 seconds, still stands as the fastest ever, a mark that remains untouched after a quarter of a century. Can the Dane beat that mark today?

Vingegaard himself knows exactly what to expect, having last raced up the mountain in 2023 alongside his then teammate Primoz Roglic. That edition ended with Roglič taking the stage victory, while Vingegaard finished just behind him as the duo dropped their Visma teammate and eventual GC winner Sepp Kuss. Now, two years later, with the red jersey on his shoulders, the challenge comes with added weight.

"It's a special climb, and I love special climbs. But it's also tough, so it's a love-hate relationship. It's going to be difficult, all-in for everyone," he admitted. For Vingegaard, the key lies in balancing control and instinct, knowing when to hold back and when to launch. "I'm focusing on myself and trying to deliver the best possible performance on the climb. Then we'll see what happens."

Rivals know that overcoming him will take something extraordinary. João Almeida, sitting second overall, was candid about his chances. "Win? You'll have to beat Jonas," he said. "That will be a tough task. Hopefully, I have good legs."

Tom Pidcock, currently in third, is another threat. The Briton has already shown flashes of strength, even managing to distance Vingegaard two days ago on a climb. For him, the Angliru may present the best opportunity yet. "It's not fun to climb, but I think it suits me," Pidcock said. "The steep sections will suit me more than the moderate climbs we've already had. It will be very tough, but it's also a matter of timing."

The Angliru has long been a kingmaker in the Vuelta. José María “Chava” Jiménez claimed its first stage win in 1999, Roberto Heras set his unmatched record the following year, and Alberto Contador sealed his farewell victory on its brutal slopes in 2017. Many pundits, former and currents riders have all described this climb as one of the most brutal in the sport, perhaps worse than the likes of Alpe d’Huez and Mont Ventoux. The climb is both legend and torment, a place where riders cannot hide and where even the strongest are humbled. Even some of the biggest names could crack today.

For Vingegaard, winning atop the Angliru would not only reinforce his control of the red jersey but also be one of the most important victories of career. Can anyone challenge the favourite?