Vuelta a España riders go for super-low gearing to tackle monster climb

Wednesday's final ascent includes sections at 31 per cent gradient – so teams and riders are electing to use super-low gears

Low gears selected for stage 17 of the 2017 Vuelta a España.

(Image credit: Shimano/Team Sunweb/Twitter)

Many riders in the 2017 Vuelta a España have elected to equip their bikes with super-low gear ratios in order to cope with the final, steep climb on Wednesday's stage 17.

The Alto de los Machucos comes at the end of the 180.5-kilometres stage from Villadiego, and will serve up gradients of up to 31 per cent and an uneven, concrete surface.

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