Lagos de Covadonga (Vuelta a Espana)
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Nairo Quintana and Pierre Rolland tackle the Montecampione at last year's Giro d'Italia (pic: Sirotti)
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The stunning backdrop masks the fierceness of the climb to the Lakes of Covadonga (pic: Sirotti)
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Lagos de Covadonga (Vuelta a Espana)
Robert Millar is among the men who can count a stage win at the Lakes of Covadonga on their palmares, with the climb becoming a Vuelta regular.
The natural beauty of the climb, set against the backdrop of rugged mountainside and two glacial lakes, disguises its eye-watering gradients. This is not a climb to be taken lightly – starting at Covadonga, the road to the summit is 12.6km long with an average gradient of 7.3 per cent, but there are parts far steeper.
The toughest section comes 7km from the top at La Huesera, where an 800m stretch of road has a pitch of 15 per cent, serving as a springboard for a long-range attacks for any rider feeling super-strong.
Przemyslaw Niemiec won the stage there last year, while Laurent Jalabert and Pedro Delgado also join Millar on the list of former winners.
Key facts
Length: 12.6km
Average gradient: 7.3%
Maximum gradient: 17.5%