La Vuelta a España Training & Simulation

La Vuelta a España is renowned for having some of the toughest climbs in the cycling world. Taking place annually at the end of August, the race comprises 21 stages and for 2022 will commence with a group time trial in the Netherlands.

Find out how you can train like a pro on yourWattbike Atom Smart Bike Trainer at home and experience the intensity of some of the toughest ascents of this Grand Tour.

La Vuelta stages

La Vuelta 2022 is a multi-stage race and will cover a total distance of 3,280.5km. The 21 stages are:

• 6 flat stages
• 2 flat stages with high-altitude finishes
• 4 hilly stages
• 7 mountain stages
• 1 team trial stage
• 1 individual time trial stage, and 3 rest days

The early time trial and flat stages will be held in the Netherlands, before the riders head over to Spain to conquer the infamous climbs.

The following climbs from 2022’s La Vuelta will be available to replicate on theWattbike Hub App, so that you can really feel what it’s like to ride like a pro and test your mettle against endless inclines. Head to Summer Sessions x La Vuelta

Stage 8: Collado Fancuaya

Collado Fancuaya is one of six categorised climbs to feature in Stage 8 of the 2022 Vuelta a España, a 153km stage starting in Pola de Laviana. This is the first time Collado Fancuaya has ever featured in the Spanish Grand Tour.

Located in the Cantabrian mountain range in Northern Spain’s Asturias region, this tough climb will see you gain 389m / 1,276 ft of elevation over 4.2km / 2.6 miles, at an average gradient of 9.2%.

Stage 9: Les Praeres de Nava

Les Praeres de Nava features as the summit finish of Stage 9 of the 2022 Vuelta a España, having first appeared in the Spanish Grand Tour in 2018 where Simon Yates rode to victory on his way to winning the red jersey.

This climb may be short, but it is brutal, gaining 467m / 1,532ft over 3.5km / 2.2 miles at a gradient that averages 13.2% and exceeds 20% in places.

Stage 12: Peñas Blancas

Peñas Blancas is a longer, more digestible climb with a slow burn to the top.It features in Stage 12 of the race. The climb will see riders climb from almost sea level in Estepona - ‘The Garden of the Costa del Sol’ - having ridden along the coast in a largely flat stage which starts in Salobreña and passes through Málaga and Marbella.

Featuring 900m / 2,953 ft of elevation gain over 14km / 8.7 miles, this Andalusian Hors Catégorie climb averages 6.3% but reaches in excess of 15% in places.

Stage 14: Sierra de la Pandera

Sierra de la Pandera marks the summit finish of Stage 14 of the 2022 Vuelta a España, the sixth time it has appeared as a stage finish in the Spanish Grand Tour. The last rider to claim victory here was Rafal Majka back in 2017.

Reaching the highest point in the Sierra Sur de Jaén mountain range will see you gain 664m / 2,178 ft of elevation over 7.5km / 4.7 miles at a gradient averaging 8.9%

Stage 15: Hoya de la mora

After a relatively sedate Stage 15, riders in the 2022 Vuelta a España hit the hills for the final 50km, culminating in a 20km climb to the summit finish atop Hoya de la Mora.

This Granadan Hors Catégorie climb will see you gain a huge 1,824m / 5,984 ft of elevation at a tough average gradient of 7.7%, at times things get very steep and you’ll be well into double digits.

Stage 21: Puerto de Canencia

Located just north of Madrid, Puerto de Canencia features as the ‘easiest’ climb in the final stage of the 2022 Vuelta a España.

It might be the easiest climb on the day, but it’s certainly not easy! Over 7km / 4.3 miles, you’ll gain 359m / 1,178 ft of elevation at a gradient averaging 5% and in places topping 11%.

How to simulate La Vuelta at home

Riding a Grand Tour like La Vuelta requires an immense amount of power, endurance, and mental strength. If you’d like to try a Spanish Climb at home on your Wattbike, head to theWattbike Hub App and find the Summer Sessions x La Vuelta category.

One of the toughest elements of a race like La Vuelta or any Grand Tour is the heat. Using your Wattbike indoor bike trainer throughout summer will allow you to train more comfortably and control the conditions around you. Make sure you have the perfect set up and maybe invest in a Vacmaster Indoor Cycling Fan to help you out!

Don't stop at La Vuelta...

On the Wattbike Hub, you can also train on climbs in this year's Tour de France and Giro d'Italia, so if you've got the climbing bug...don't worry, there's endless more climbs for you to conquer.