Friday marks the last stage of the Vuelta on Galician soil. The peloton will face some significant climbs en route, culminating in the Puerto de Ancares in Cantabria. Many riders will be challenged by the steep gradients on this climb.

The stage begins moderately in the historic city of Lugo, once one of the most important cities in Spain during Roman times. After starting beneath the Roman city walls, the peloton will pick up speed toward the Alto Campo de Arbre and the Alto O Portel.

In this opening phase, an early breakaway will have ample opportunity to build a significant lead over the peloton. These climbs, categorized as third and second category, are manageable for many riders. The Alto Campo de Arbre (6 km at 5.1 percent) and the Alto O Portel (7.8 km at 5.2 percent) do not become excessively steep. Afterward, a long segment of the stage leads to a challenging finale that begins 26 kilometers from the finish.

The Puerto de Lumeras (6.7 km at 6 percent) serves as an appetizer before the Puerto de Ancares, which is just under eight kilometers long. The Puerto de Ancares (7.6 km at 8.9 percent) features gradients of up to nine percent and becomes progressively steeper. After the third kilometer, the gradient rarely drops below ten percent. The penultimate kilometer is the toughest, with an average gradient of fourteen percent and stretches exceeding twenty percent.

The Vuelta last visited this climb ten years ago, where Alberto Contador emerged victorious after a thrilling battle with Chris Froome, Joaquim Rodriguez, and Alejandro Valverde. Rodriguez had previously won at this climb in 2012.