The stage on the 18th of September will be both the second and last chance for the climbers. Starting in Ávila, the 19th stage of the Vuelta will finish in La Granja Real Fábrica de Cristales. It does not have a mountain finish, nor will it need it, as there are three major climbs en route, providing sufficient opportunity to break up the bunch.
The 3rd category El León will break the ice before the riders face Navacerrada (9.8 kilometres at 7%), La Morcuera (11.5 kilometres at 5.6%) and Navacerrada once more, this time scaling 11.9 kilometres at 6.3%. The importance of that final climb lies in its proximity to the finish. Any lapse or mistake on behalf of the leaders at this point is sure to give rise to significant time difference on the descent to La Granja. Anybody left behind on the final climb will have to face 18 dangerous downhill and flat kilometers to the finish. The descent, in fact, is almost more dangerous than the climb itself.
Previous editions: Ávila has hosted 22 stage finishes and the national Grand Tour has set off from the walled city on 18 ocassions. La Granja de San Ildefonso-Real Fábrica de Cristales will provide for unique racing in 2009.
