Today’s 8th stage of the Vuelta unfolded between the historic town of Úbeda and the picturesque mountain village of Cazorla, covering 159 km of medium-mountain terrain. Úbeda, known for its stunning Renaissance architecture, served as the starting point, sending the riders into a challenging route that included two significant climbs. The first was a Category 2 pass that tested the peloton’s endurance, followed by the ascent of Sierra de Cazorla, a Category 3 climb reaching 1,056 meters, which led the riders into the final stretch towards the finish in Cazorla, a town nestled in the heart of the Sierra de Cazorla Natural Park.
A second victory for the Slovenian
Primož Roglič claimed his second victory of this year’s Vuelta today, crossing the finish line in Cazorla with a time of 3h 38′ 34″. Roglič, representing RBH, edged out Movistar’s Enric Mas, who finished with the same time. Mikel Landa of SOQ completed the podium, arriving 14 seconds later. This win puts Roglič on par with his former teammate Wout Van Aert, both having secured two stage victories in the race so far, solidifying their dominance in this year’s competition.
A battle for two jerseys
With today’s victory, Primož Roglič not only inches closer to Ben O’Connor, the current leader of the overall classification, but also secures the best climber’s jersey. Roglič’s strong performance on the climbs allowed him to gain valuable time on his rivals, reducing the gap to O’Connor. As the race progresses, Roglič’s dual threat as both a general classification contender and a top climber makes him a formidable presence in the Vuelta.
A particularly difficult stage
Tomorrow’s stage promises to be a challenging high mountain test, featuring three demanding category 1 passes. Climbers will be at the forefront, with riders like Mikel Landa, Ben O’Connor, and Primož Roglič expected to shine. The steep ascents and long climbs will offer these top contenders a crucial opportunity to make significant gains in the general classification. As the race heats up, all eyes will be on how these climbers handle the grueling terrain.
