Six climbs before the rest day
With six categorised climbs on the menu, this is a gruelling day heading into the rest weekend. The Alto de Aitana, with its distinctive radar domes on the summit, marks its 25th anniversary in the Vuelta this year.
Heat as an extra opponent
Late August in inland Alicante usually means scorching heat. Organisers warn the temperature could make the tough final climb even harder — a test of legs and head alike heading into the rest day.