A new terrifying climb will feature in this year’s edition of the Vuelta a Espana.
Stage 17 will finish on the Alto de los Machucos climb which is 9km long, has an average gradient of 9% and a maximum of 28%.
STAGE 17 of LA VUELTA is LIVE NOW HERE
The road is so steep that at parts is paved with cement instead of the usual asphalt.
In recent years, the Vuelta a Espana has had a tradition of having grueling summit finishes and this will be the case again in 2017, with Alto de los Machucos and the penultimate-day Alto del Angliru.
Vuelta 2017. Stage 17 will include the monster climb: Los Machucos. With a maximum gradient of 28%!! #LV2017 pic.twitter.com/ZebWdGBUWw
— Vuelta 2017 (@Vuelta2017) July 27, 2017
Adding to the Alto de los Machucos’ difficulty will also be the narrow road. At points is only wide enough for two abreast, which will be made even more difficult if spectators are allowed onto the climb.
Alto de los Muchucos is not the only summit finish with +20% gradients this year. Angliru will be back in the Vuelta for the first time since 2013. The climb with ramps as steep as 23 percent has been featured six times in the race (1999, 2000, 2002, 2008, 2011, and 2013), with Kenny Elissonde, now on Team Sky for 2017, being the last winner.
