The Vuelta a España 2017 route is expected to feature nine summit finishes - one less than in 2016 - but an increased number of longer final ascents through the high mountains of Andalucía, Cantabria and Asturias, making it even more of a race for the out-and-out climbers.
Although the route is not due to be officially released in full until this Thursday evening, the long wait for the Vuelta presentation has seen much of it emerge beforehand. Even the race’s official newspaper, AS, has been drawn into the lengthy speculation over much of the route.
Overall, the biggest change compared to 2016 is that, although the Vuelta retains its trademark characteristic of the greatest number of summit finishes of the three Grand Tours - nine as opposed to 10 in 2016 - five of them - two more than in 2016 - will be ’serious' high-mountain climbs.
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Calar Alto and Sierra Nevada, both ascents of more than 20 kilometres long, together with La Pandera will form a trio of challenging summit finishes in Andalucía, in the Vuelta’s second week.
However, the final showdown will be on the opposite end of Spain in the last six days, with one new climb, the unprecedented 14 kilometre ascent to Los Machucos in Cantabria, preceding the Vuelta’s return to the Angliru, Spain’s toughest single climb, on the final Saturday.
Punchier, explosive climbs or shorter final ascents are reduced in number from six in 2016 to four in 2017, and one of those on next September’s route, the Xorret de Cati, will be followed by a short, fast descent. The Vuelta’s first week, should the predicted ‘easy’ stage in Andorra be confirmed, is also less tough overall than in 2016.
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