Facing the Angliru
# The Thrilling Challenge of the Angliru: Vuelta a España’s Signature Climb
The stage was set for an electrifying showdown at the 2025 Vuelta a España, with cyclists grappling against the notorious Alto de l’Angliru. Renowned as one of the steepest climbs in professional cycling, this stage captivated both riders and fans as they prepared to tackle nearly 4,000 meters of elevation gain, primarily concentrated in the final sixty kilometers.
Rémi Cavagna and Clément Braz Afonso formed a breakaway early on, aiming to preempt the challenges presented by the Angliru. However, the leading contenders soon shifted their focus to the overall victory as the thirteenth stage unfolded. Joao Almeida eventually crossed the finish line victorious, while Rudy Molard finished thirty-third at the summit.
The relentless vertical challenge began amid gentler terrain before riders faced the dramatic inclines of the Alto de la Mozqueta and Alto del Cordal. Frédéric Guesdon, the team’s director, emphasized the importance of maintaining an early advantage. “We wanted to be vigilant from the start, because to get the best possible result today, we had to be in the breakaway,” he remarked. Cavagna and Afonso executed their strategy effectively, linking up with the leaders just ten kilometers in.
Despite initial optimism, the dynamics of the race shifted when Team Visma-Lease a Bike kept a close watch on the breakaway’s lead. “Visma-Lease a Bike didn’t let too much of a gap, so we quickly realized that it was going to be hard to fight for the win or for a top result,” Guesdon stated. Cavagna’s efforts on the climbs were notable as he worked to give Afonso a fighting chance. “He knew he was going to have trouble getting over the climbs, so he pushed hard to maintain a good gap,” Guesdon explained.
Ultimately, a selection of strong riders broke away, arriving at the Angliru with a two-minute lead, which was not enough to hold off the top contenders. Almeida secured his win, followed closely by Jonas Vingegaard. Guesdon noted, “Rudy still did a decent climb, and the others mostly entered the gruppetto because other stages could suit us better in the coming days.” Although Molard placed 33rd, he climbed to 20th overall in the standings.
Looking ahead, the competition continues with a formidable summit finish at La Farrapona on Saturday. Reflecting on the Angliru, Guesdon acknowledged its iconic nature and hinted at the strategies for future stages: “Since the Angliru is iconic, we suspected that Vingegaard wanted to win. The breakaway could have a better shot tomorrow. In any case, if we want to have a chance of winning, we’ll have to try to put someone in front.”
As the Vuelta progresses, the excitement continues to build, promising more exhilarating moments in the days to come.
