Even though it has been said that the race will less explosive than in recent years, the 2017 Vuelta a Espana will not be without difficulties. According to the latest reports from the Spanish media where leaks slowly outline the full route, nine summit finishes are planned on the course of the 2017 edition, one less than last year.

While the route will not be unveiled before January 12, we already know that Angliru will host a finish, just like Andorra (uphill or downhill) and the terrible ascent of Los Machucos. 

Besides these stages, AS revealed on Friday that Andalusia should be the scene of a nice mountain triptych. No fewer than three mountaintop finishes are expected in the southern region of Spain, culminating with a finale at La Sierra Nevada from the Hoya de la Mora side. Before that, the riders will face two other tough stages. The first will be held in the province of Almeria and probably finish on Calar Alto or Alto Velefique, and the other will end on the slopes of La Pandera which has been visited four times since 2002 with wins for Roberto Heras, Alejandro Valverde, Andrey Kashechkin and Damiano Cunego. 

The reports can only be confirmed at the presentation in three weeks.