The 2024 Vuelta a España promises a brutal and spectacular conclusion to the year's Grand Tour calendar. While the three-week race is a test of endurance, victory will ultimately be forged on a handful of iconic, leg-sapping climbs and a pivotal time trial. For the likes of Primoz Roglic, Remco Evenepoel, and Jonas Vingegaard, the entire race hinges on these five decisive stages.
The Lagos de Covadonga Showdown: Stage 4
An early and brutal introduction to the mountains awaits on Stage 4. The mythical ascent to Lagos de Covadonga, with its foggy lakes and punishing gradients, is a classic Vuelta battleground. This first major mountain test will immediately expose any contender who has failed to bring their top form, potentially ending a GC challenge before it has truly begun.
The Race of Truth: Stage 10 Individual Time Trial
In a 35km test against the clock in Valencia, the pure climbers will seek to limit their losses while the powerful rouleurs like Remco Evenepoel will eye this stage as a golden opportunity to put minutes into their rivals. This stage is less about explosive attacks and more about a solitary, painful effort that could redefine the entire general classification.
Back-to-Back Brutality: Stages 12 & 13 in the Pyrenees
The Vuelta delivers a devastating one-two punch in the Pyrenees. Stage 12 features the monstrous Col du Tourmalet, a legendary climb from the Tour de France making a rare Vuelta appearance. This is followed immediately by Stage 13, finishing on the savage slopes of the Col du Aubisque. Surviving one is difficult; conquering both back-to-back is a task that will break all but the strongest.
The Queen Stage: Stage 20's Final Climb to Puerto de Navacerrada
True to its reputation for sadistic late-race drama, the Vuelta has saved its toughest test for last. Stage 20 is the dreaded Queen Stage, a relentless journey over seven categorized climbs. The final ascent to Puerto de Navacerrada is where the 2024 champion will be crowned. Expect explosive, do-or-die attacks from those mere seconds apart on GC, making for a nail-biting finale to three weeks of racing.
The Infamous Angrilu: Stage 16's Wall of Pain
No Vuelta is complete without the fearsome Alto de l'Angliru. This stage is arguably the most decisive of the entire tour. With gradients hitting a jaw-dropping 24% on its narrow, steep ramps, the Angliru is less a climb and more a trial by suffering. This is where pure grit and determination outweigh all else, and where the red jersey can be seized in a display of breathtaking audacity.
