Vuelta 2018 Route Stage 19: Lleida - Col de La Rabassa - 154.4Km

Stage 19 is the first of 2 Andorran stages that will decide the outcome of the GC in Madrid. With the gaps so small you would think QS, Movistar and Astana have an interest in keeping the break on a very short leash so the 10, 6 and 4 second bonifications are in play at the end of the stage. This will likely mean curtains for the break.

Friday, 14 September 2018 - The 19th stage at the Vuelta a España sets off in Lleida to head north to Andorra. The route climbs gradually for 154.4 kilometres to the foot of the only KOM of the day, which is the Col de la Rabassa. Summit finish at the end of the 17.5 kilometres climb at 6.3%.

Departure place Lleida is located at an altitude of 150 metres and the Rabassa begins at 940 metres. Generally the route is a rolling false flat with some sections standing out – for instance the upward stretch to Cubélls. The riders move through Oliana and La Seu d’Urgell to reach Sant Julià de Lòria at the foot of the Col de la Rabassa. The haul up to the top recently featured in the Vuelta’s of 2015 and 2017, although not as the final climb.

The Rabassa amounts to 17.5 kilometres and it kicks in hard with double digit ramps in the first half, yet the climb flattens out in the second half. The slope is mostly hovering around 4 to 5% with a few 7% sections standing out. When the flamme rouge flies over their heads the riders hit an uphill kick of 8%, and that’s it. The average gradient of the Col de la Rabassa is 6.3%.

The first three riders on the line take time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while the intermediate sprint (at kilometre 136.7) comes with 3, 2 and 1 seconds.

The 18th stage of the 2018 Vuelta a España starts at 13:30 and the finish is expected around 17:40 – both local times (scheduled times).