They say that ‘when it pops, there’s no stopping’, and La Vuelta has taken it to heart with the climb to Lagos de Covadonga. It took a long time to appear, as it was not climbed for the first time until 1983, but once they saw what it had to offer, it seemed impossible not to make it a regular climb. For 41 years, the Lagos de Covadonga has been the final of the Vuelta 23 times, with the one in 2024, and its longest period of absence from the national grand tour has been 4 years (from 2001 to 2005.
Compared by many to the Alpe d’Huez, the Lakes have witnessed everything that can happen in a cycling race. Victories in the breakaway, others that decided the overall standings and other climbs that meant the end of a legend that seemed never-ending, that of Miguel Induráin.
Roglic and Nairo Quintana can join the select club of Herrera, Jalabert and ‘Perico’ Delgado
In the current peloton there are only two riders who have been able to raise their arms on the mythical Asturian summit. Quintana and Roglic They did it twice, too, as it also helped them get on track to their final victory in the general classification from 2016 to 2021.
Colombian Nairo Quintana (Movistar) has won the tenth stage of the Vuelta a España, which covers 188.7 kilometres between Lugones and Lagos de Covadonga, and has regained the red leader’s jersey.
If Red Bull-Bora try to control the breakaway, Roglic has a good chance of taking his second win as he looks the strongest in the mountains among the favourites. Nairo will have less of a chance, as his chances of being in the breakaway are not many because Movistar will ask him to work for Enric Mas.
It has been 41 years since Marino Lejarreta inaugurated this beautiful summit that has become a sanctuary for professional and amateur cycling, and he is looking for a new winner.
