STAGE 8: DÉNIA – XORRET DE CATÍ, COSTA BLANCA INTERIOR, 164.8KM
Stage 8: Dénia to Xorret del Catí
Date: September 2
Distance: 165km
Stage type: Mountain
The eighth stage of the 2023 Vuelta a España is chock-full of five rated climbs, but don’t let the modest altitude deceive you; these hills have the potential to dramatically shake up the leaderboard.
Kicking off at the scenic coastal town of Dénia, the racers will traverse a roller-coaster 165km route through the low-lying mountains.
The highlight of the day is the final climb up to Xorret del Catí, a grueling 4km stretch that averages an 11.5% incline, peaking at a formidable 22%.
After reaching the summit, riders will face a 2km downhill segment, followed by a flat 1km stretch leading to the finish line.
This layout offers the perfect setting for a last-minute sprint, especially if the race frontrunners are neck and neck, making time bonuses a potential game-changer.
Before reaching the crucial Xorret del Catí climb, competitors will tackle four other categorized ascents.
None of these earlier climbs exceed an average gradient of 6%, and the longest one stretches for 10.9km.
Yet, the route’s fluctuating terrain presents ample opportunities for breakaway attempts and will certainly test the stamina of key contenders.