The thing that has always made the Vuelta special for me was witnessing the overall contenders sprint up unimaginably steep passes as they battled for both stage victory and the elusive leader’s jersey. Prior to today’s finish, I had been missing these types of finishes that I associate with Purito Rodriguez and my youth in this year’s race. Luckily, the Vuelta delivered today with one of their famously punchy, steep finishes that made me fall in love so many years ago.
