After a couple of days with limited altitude challenges, the Vuelta returns to its natural terrain: climbing. The twelfth stage from Vera to Calar Alto is 166.6 km long and features 4,530 metres of elevation gain, mostly concentrated in the final section.

to follow the live coverage of the entire stage starting at 1 PM CLICK HERE

The Andalusian stage promises spectacle first with the likely breakaway that could form on the Alto del Cabecico, 3rd category, 8 km at 3.3% which is the day's first climb. Then with the Alto de Cobdar, 3rd category, 5 km at 4.5% and the Collado Garcia, 2nd category, 19 km at 2.4% to keep the legs warm, and then with a truly gruelling finale.

Around km 120, the climb to Alto del Velefique begins, 1st category, 13 km at 7.2%. The summit comes 34 km from the finish. A long descent follows and then comes the final ascent to Calar Alto: a 1st category climb, 17 km at 5.6% destined to make the difference. It will be up to the general classification contenders and those dreaming of becoming one: there is no more time for tactics...