59th Vuelta a España - GT

Spain, September 4-26, 2004

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Stage 18 - September 23: Béjar - Ávila, 196 km

One of the loveliest stages of the race through the Sierra de Gredos, it was here in 1983 one of the greatest battles of Vuelta history was fought out between Bernard Hinault, Marino Lejarreta, Vicente Belda and Julian Gorospe. With four categorized climbs and almost two hundred kilometres, Stage 18 will be for sure another day in which to win or lose the whole Vuelta. The main difficulties in order of appearance will be the Alto de Vallejera (Cat. 3), the Puerto de Peña Negro (Cat. 1), the Puerto de Serranillo (Cat. 1), and the Cat. 2 Puerto de Navalmoral, which rises 20km before the finish in Ávila.

Stage Profile

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Sprints

Km. 25.7 - Puente del Congosto
Km. 86 - Navarredonda de Gredos
Km. 165.3 - Navalmoral de la Sierra