On the second day of the Vuelta, the cyclists gather at the beach. Mataró Beach, in this case. While the Volta a Catalunya has visited many times in recent years, this marks the first time for the Vuelta a España.
Almost immediately from the start, climbing is a constant factor. The Coll de Sant Bartomeu (6.6 km at 4.5%) isn’t overly difficult, but it can catch some off guard right from the beginning. After a quick visit to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, the route goes up the Coll D’Estenalles. It’s around twenty kilometers in length but has a manageable average gradient.
More crucial is the final climb of the stage. This is the ascent to Montjuïc Castle, the most famous mountain in Barcelona. While not a climb that will decide the Vuelta, it might cause some seconds to be lost. An attacking rider could use the 0.9 km climb at 9.4% to gain a few seconds in the general classification.
Stage 2 (August 27): Mataró-Barcelona, 181.8 km
Every day at 2:00 PM, the information about the next stage of the Vuelta a España 2023 will be published. Stay tuned!
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