Another big day in the mountains of Asturias, stage 14 heads straight for the clouds with a summit finish on Alto de la Farrapona. It may only be 136km long, but with two category one climbs packed into the second half of the route – including the brutally steep San Llaurienzu – this is a stage with potential to split the general classification. A GC shake-up is possible, especially coming on the heels of the Angliru, and the final 5km of Farrapona – consistently around 10% – is steep enough to reward pure climbers.
2025 Vuelta a España stage 14 details
Date: Saturday 6th September
Distance: 136km
Start location: Avilés
Finish location: La Farrapona
Start time: 13:30 CEST
Finish time: 17:13 CEST
The route leaves the coast at Avilés and quickly moves into the lush interior of Asturias, with its narrow valleys, forested slopes, and a reputation for savage climbs. The first half of the stage is relatively tame, but the final 45km feature back-to-back climbs that are among the hardest in the region. San Llaurienzu – better known to locals as Puerto de San Lorenzo – is long, steep, and has regularly caused damage in past editions. But it’s the final climb to Farrapona that will shape the GC once again.
The 16.5km climb rises steadily, but it’s the final 5km where things get serious. In previous visits, this finale has either delivered decisive time gaps or forced an uneasy stalemate. With the red jersey still contested and no flat run-in to worry about, this time it could be all action.
Photo Credit: GettyContenders
Expect another heavyweight duel between Jonas Vingegaard and João Almeida. The pair have emerged as the clear strongest climbers in this Vuelta, and while Almeida triumphed on the Angliru, today’s longer summit finish might favour Vingegaard’s style more. That said, Almeida has looked unshakable and will be right there again.
Jai Hindley and Sepp Kuss were the next-best climbers on the Angliru, and both could be key today – Hindley for his own ambitions and Kuss as support for Vingegaard. Felix Gall, Giulio Pellizzari, and Tom Pidcock are also still high on GC and climbing well, while Matthew Riccitello quietly climbed into seventh overall after another solid performance.
UAE could once again use Juan Ayuso, Jay Vine, or Marc Soler as launchpads for Almeida, though any of the trio could also go for the stage win if they’re given freedom. Meanwhile, Matteo Jorgenson, Giulio Ciccone, and Egan Bernal might look to recover lost time or take their chance from a strong breakaway.
A few others to watch from further down the standings: David Gaudu – a previous winner on this climb in 2020 – Lorenzo Fortunato, Javier Romo, Santiago Buitrago, Kevin Vermaerke, Bruno Armirail, Marco Frigo, and Mikel Landa.
Prediction
Jonas Vingegaard to win stage 14. He’ll want to respond to Almeida’s Angliru performance, and the steep finish on La Farrapona gives him the chance to do just that. Expect Almeida to push him all the way.
