Legendary Angliru could be made even harder with gravel - Vuelta Race Director investigating alternative sections on iconic climb
Cycling
The mighty Angliru is among the pantheon of cycling's greatest climbs. After its 1999 introduction at the Vuelta a Espana, it has garnered a fearsome reputation for its brutal length and eye-watering gradients - with sections at over 23 percent making it one of the sport's great spectacles.
According to reports, the legendary climb is on the agenda for the Vuelta in 2027. A potentially brutal final week is set to feature two mountain finishes in the Asturias region - making the legendary climb likely to be included in one of the stages next season. Lagos de Covadonga and Gamoniteiru are also being considered, but there has currently been no confirmation.
Furthermore, it could even be potentially more difficult in 2027 if it is included. AS have reported that José Antonio Muñiz, the former mayor of Riosa and current president of the Friends of the Angliru Association, has floated the idea of two alternative sections of the climb - with both including gravel sections to take riders to the final kilometres of the summit.
Two current gravel roads of three kilometres long could connect with the Angliru near Llagos leaving riders with just less than five kilometres to the summit, including the climb's iconic steep sections.
João Almeida beat Jonas Vingegaard in the Angliru during the Vuelta 2025
Vuelta race director to investigate Angliru gravel sections
The idea was presented to race director Javier Guillén, who has agreed to investigate the proposals and will send a technical team. However, while admitting that the organisation are open to alternative ideas, any change will be motivated to make the racing more exciting rather than just making it more difficult.
It comes after the Vuelta used a gravel climb in the 2026 edition, with the climb to El Bartolo prompting one of the race's most memorable moments as Enric Mas caught up to Tadej Pogacar over the top of the ascent.
Before the gravel section in 2026, Guillén had been reluctant to use sections of its kind in the Grand Tour despite the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia embracing the popular way of racing into certain editions of their routes.
Read also
Successful gravel section at 2026 Vuelta
"I was never a fan of it, because I felt the philosophy and personality of the Vuelta went in a different direction," he said in September following the El Bartolo stage.
"But I have to thank Kiko García for his persistence because it was a huge success."
Although Guillén confirmed that gravel would not be likely to become a permanent or common feature in the race, it seems that the 2026 use of a gravel sector could lead to future segments being considered.
The 2027 Vuelta a Espana route presentation is currently set to take place in December. The race will begin in Santiago de Compostela September 4th with the first four stages taking place in Galicia. The race finishes in Madrid on September 26th.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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