An unprecedented wall and the return of Les Praeres and its 24% ramps: the weekend in Asturias that can decide the Vuelta

The emotion, the tears and the success of

yesterday in

contrasted with the placid day experienced by the favorites to win the

, who experienced a valley stage between the ecstasy of

on Thursday and the two walls to which They will meet this

.

The fight between

, red jersey, and

's desire for revenge and

's impetus

now move to Asturian territory, specifically to two areas:

.

These peaks will be the final point of this weekend's stages, the eighth and ninth of this edition, the only two in Asturias before the peloton crosses the Peninsula towards

.

Today in

begin 48 hours that will mark the future of the Vuelta, as almost always in the north.

It will not be filmed through the

or in the legendary

, but today the peloton will climb the unprecedented

, a scary pass:

of ascent at an average gradient of 8.5% with

That is where the eighth stage will end, the final goal of a day in which the runners will face a

and five other climbs:

(6.4 km at 7%),

(6.8 km at 6 .6%),

(5.7 km at 5.3%),

(Bonus; 5.3 km at 6.2%) and

(4 km at 7.7%).

“It will be important to save strength for Colláu Fancuaya”, comments Escartín about the second great port that the cyclists will find in this Vuelta.

The road will be a constant roller coaster until reaching the last ascent, in which the turning to the left towards the town of

after three kilometers of ascent will be the turning point of the pass.

When passing it, the steepest ramps will arrive, with a narrow road, surrounded by

in which a large public presence is expected.

In the final section, the tight curves will accumulate, the classic

, which will make the last moments even more difficult.

The asphalt, yes, seems to be in perfect condition and no rain is expected during the stage.

In total,

of pure effort.

For tomorrow, Sunday, there will be the icing on the cake that Asturias will give to the fans:

, discovered in the

with the triumph of

and already become a classic of the route.

Short and explosive, it will be

with ramps that reach

.

A final guillotine in a diabolical stage:

with four other ports, including the

, with 9 kilometers at 6% and areas that are close to 10%.

El Mirador is a first-class port located in the middle of the route, just after El

(7.6 km at 6%) and before

(7.1 km at 5.1%) and

(9.3 km at 4.1%), which complete the day.

"Very tough stage with a real wall at the end," says Escartín.

The general will be red hot.

The 2018 stage is still in the memories of the cyclists and the fans, who vibrated with an exceptional day, crowned by the 24% ramps and the

that the runners had to overcome to reach the finish line.

A final hell in which Yates won ahead of Miguel Ángel López and Alejandro Valverde.

In this edition it will be

or

himself who will try to emulate

, who will seek to repeat the victory against the great favorites:

.

Yesterday Mas was happy with his week, although

: "I haven't looked at anything. I'll do it in the morning. I don't have a preference for one or the other," said the Mallorcan, who arrives in third position,

.

Lap 2022. Stages 8 and 9

On

the reward will come after the Asturian hell: the rest day for the peloton, which will still have a hard day.

The cyclists and their teams will cross the peninsula diagonally towards Elche, site of the start of Tuesday's stage.

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