The Alto de l’Angliru, recognized principally as ‘the Angliru’, conjures each concern and defiance for cyclists. A legendary mountain move in Spain’s Asturias area, it’s typically accepted to be probably the most troublesome climb in Spain.
The total size from backside to prime is 12.4km with a mean gradient of 9.7%. It is the second half of the slim, twisting street that provides the climb notoriety because it winds beside steep partitions with rocky outcroppings and offers sweeping views of the Asturias area of northern Spain with out obstructions of timber. Indicators on the street additionally alert informal riders to how steep every part is.
On a bit 3km from the summit the gradients push as much as 20%, with one part reaching as excessive as 23%. That’s the reason that a part of the mountain is known as Cueña les Cabres, move of the goats, as solely cattle had been frequent on the unique gravel path.
Historical past at La Vuelta
It wasn’t till 1997 that the total size of the Angliru street was paved for automobiles to move, with Cueña les Cabres coated by tarmac two years later only for the Vuelta a España. For the reason that Angliru’s introduction in 1999 the climb has been used within the race 9 occasions, with 2025 marking the tenth event.
Spaniard José María Jiménez (Banesto) etched his title within the file books as the primary conqueror of the climb, which featured on stage 8 of the 1999 Vuelta. He would win the mountains classification that 12 months for a 3rd time. Italian Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Daikin) gained the mountain stage the following 12 months. After a one-year hiatus, l’Angliru returned on stage 15 in 2002 gained by Spaniard Roberto Heras (US Postal Service).
The one rider to have conquered l’Angliru twice on the Vuelta was Alberto Contador, with the Spanish climber profitable in 2008 for Astana and 2017 for Trek-Segafredo.
Different riders to dominate the climb within the different 4 appearances had been Dutch rider Wout Poels (Bahrain Victorious) in 2011, Frenchman Kenny Elissonde (FDJ) in 2013, Hugh Carthy (EF Professional) of Nice Britain in 2020 and most just lately in 2023 by Primož Rogič (Jumbo-Visma).
The ascent
The primary six kilometers are comparatively in step with gradients of 5%-7%, and brings riders to a one-kilometre reprieve of an nearly flat part that results in a recreation space of Viapará.
The second half of the climb has no different entry roads, so it’s the solely path to the summit. It additionally marks the tip of the ‘simple’ a part of the climb, and the pitch of the street turns into perceptibly steeper, rising to 13% and 15% on the following kilometre.
A number of sections have been named – Llagos (14.5%), Les Picones (20%), Cobayos (21.5%) and the thoughts boggling Cueña les Cabres (23.5%), with indicators alongside the way in which to announce the gradients, for individuals who need to know.
Between kilometres 7 and 9.5, the pitch stays a constant 11-12%, with a pointy right-hand bend at kilometre 8.3. The gradient kicks as much as 15-17% as Cueña les Cabres hits at kilometre 10.5, the place the gradient tops out at 23.5% for about 500 metres.
The lower to 12% gradient at kilometre 11 appears permits a rider to catch their breath, however then a small bump at 20% hits a number of hundred metres past. When the gradient drops to six%, the highest of the climb is barely 500 metres later.
2025 Vuelta
On the 2025 Vuelta, half of the 21 phases are uphill finishes, with the Angliru the headliner on Friday, September 5 for stage 13. Among the many 10 appearances of the summit end on the Grand Tour, it has mostly been slotted within the second week, and has solely been the culminating climb of the race on stage 20 twice, 2013 and 2020.
This 12 months the climb punctuates the 202km journey from Cabezón de la Sal and riders will accumulate 3,964 metres of elevation acquire. It is the longest stage of the three-week race.
Two-time Vuelta runner-up Fernando Escartín referred to l’Angliru as ‘feared’ and had this to say in regards to the climb after the route announcement for this 12 months: “Dealing with La Cueña les Cabres with nearly 200km behind them will probably be an important check for the favorite riders who, ought to they’ve a foul day, can kiss La Vuelta goodbye”.
The hors categorie climb might not attain the best level of the Vuelta (that’s reserved for stage 20 at Bola del Mudo at 2,251 metres above sea degree), however it ensures high-ranking heroics for riders in quest of a profession achievement and towering techniques for groups positioning their GC leaders.