Stage 2 Alba - Puerto Limone (159.6km)
The Vuelta wouldn’t be the Vuelta if there weren’t climbs early in the race. This year is no different. Even in Italy, the organizers have immediately found a tough ascent to create the first time gaps in the general classification. It’s the Monte Limone (7.6 kilometers at 5.4%), a second-category climb.
Sunday’s stage starts on flat roads, as the peloton rolls out of Alba in the opening kilometers. The city, with Ligurian roots, is known for its white truffles, though the riders are unlikely to have much to do with them during this stage. Instead, the peloton will quickly head out of Alba towards the Alps.
Over the course of the 159.6-kilometer stage, the first 150 kilometers are relatively easy. The peloton will cruise through towns such as Saluzzo, Busca (home to the intermediate sprint), Cuneo, and Borgo San Dalmazzo as it gradually approaches the foot of the Monte Limone. From Limone Piemonte, the climb begins toward the Limone 1400 ski resort.
This climb isn’t overly difficult, but it does become considerably steeper near the top. Riders with a sharp punch in their legs may be able to break away here. Limone 1400 also featured in the 2002 Giro, when Stefano Garzelli proved the fastest in a four-man sprint.
| Date | Sunday 24 August |
| Start |  Alba |
| Finish | Puerto Limone |
| Distance | 159.6 km |
| Elevation gain | 1884 m |
| Start time | 13:35 |
| Expected finish | 17:21-17:40 |
Stage 2 Alba - Puerto Limone (159.6km)
The Vuelta wouldn’t be the Vuelta if there weren’t climbs early in the race. This year is no different. Even in Italy, the organizers have immediately found a tough ascent to create the first time gaps in the general classification. It’s the Monte Limone (7.6 kilometers at 5.4%), a second-category climb.
Sunday’s stage starts on flat roads, as the peloton rolls out of Alba in the opening kilometers. The city, with Ligurian roots, is known for its white truffles, though the riders are unlikely to have much to do with them during this stage. Instead, the peloton will quickly head out of Alba towards the Alps.
Over the course of the 159.6-kilometer stage, the first 150 kilometers are relatively easy. The peloton will cruise through towns such as Saluzzo, Busca (home to the intermediate sprint), Cuneo, and Borgo San Dalmazzo as it gradually approaches the foot of the Monte Limone. From Limone Piemonte, the climb begins toward the Limone 1400 ski resort.
This climb isn’t overly difficult, but it does become considerably steeper near the top. Riders with a sharp punch in their legs may be able to break away here. Limone 1400 also featured in the 2002 Giro, when Stefano Garzelli proved the fastest in a four-man sprint.