Segovia gives the stage a big start: the aqueduct, the old town and the Sierra straight ahead. The route climbs through La Granja de San Ildefonso and Valsaín into pine forest. After that, the work starts properly. The ascent to Puerto de Navacerrada reaches more than 1,800 metres, with long ramps and views back across the Castilian plateau. On the southern side, the descent runs through Navacerrada, Guadarrama and smaller towns below the mountains. San Lorenzo de El Escorial finishes the day with granite, the monastery and a sharp Sierra skyline.
