Stage 6: Tarazona to Jaca, 175.4km
For 150km this is a pretty routine transition stage – and then it gets interesting in the last 20km with two Cat 3 climbs. Puerto de Oroel (12km, 2.8%) is little more than a long ramp, but after a short descent it is followed immediately by the concluding Alto Fuerto de Rapitan. The basic numbers say it is 3.8km long and 5.4% in gradient, but it is in reality much tougher than that. It ramps up to 14% in some sections and the finish comes at the summit after a series of 13 momentum-killing switch-backs in the closing 2km. This start-stop finish means the stage is set for a puncheur to put some time into rivals who prefer their climbs steady-paced. Step forward Senors Contador and Rodriguez …
