Today isn’t about a single climb, it’s about the distance. Over 36 kilometres is long, and you’ll feel every one of them in your feet. The elevation gain is modest. The land rolls gently, with wide open fields and little villages that you leave behind one by one.
It’s a day of rhythm: a steady pace, regular breaks, not too much thinking. If this feels like too much, split the stage and stay the night in Rionegro del Puente. That’s not failing, that’s sensible. Late in the afternoon you’ll walk into Mombuey, put your rucksack down and finally take your shoes off.