Preview - Vuelta a Espana 2022 stage 18

A very tricky day at the Vuelta a Espana, with a start in Trujillo which will see the riders travel north through a very straightforward and simple empty road, and then a second half which will see all types of ascents.

91 (4.3Km, 5.9%) and 85 (1.5Km, 10.3%) will be the first serious climbs of the day, with a lot of steep gradients involved in what can be a very treacherous section of the day, suited to explosive racing. However the action should come in the ascents to the village of Piornal.

Don’t be mistaken, the Alto de Piornal will be ridden twice but both climbs - and the descent - are completely different. The first climb will feature 13.6 kilometers at 5%, with bonus seconds at the summit which comes with 41 kilometers to go. A fast descent will follow, with a small run-in to the final ascent.

For the second time, in a switchback-packed climb, the Alto de Piornal will be climbed now via Valdastillas, with a total of 13.3 kilometers at 5.6%. It’s not the longest climb of the race, or the steepest, but it is tough and comes at the end of a hard day and race. It’s an explosive climb, however one where team support and depth can also play wonders. The riders will go all the way up to the village where the finish line will be placed.

CyclingUpToDate prediction:
**** Miguel Ángel López
*** Remco Evenepoel, Enric Mas
** Jay Vine, Richard Carapaz, Juan Ayuso
* Carlos Rodríguez, João Almeida, Marc Soler