The 2018 Vuelta a Espana is set to return to the Lagos de Covadonga in 2018 in what is set to be a tough final week of the race. Spanish paper AS and local Asturian press have reported that the Covadonga would yet again return to the race, hosting a mountain top stage finish for the 21st occasion.
The last time the race visited the climb was in 2016. Eventual race winner Nairo Quintana (Movistar) won the stage putting 25 seconds into race rival Chris Froome (Team Sky).
The Covadonga is set to feature in what will be a heavily backloaded third of the Vuelta in terms of climbs. The same reports have also suggested that the race will visit Andorra in the final week as well as a stage in the hilly Basque country.
Vuelta race director Javier Gullen commented that the race will be 'a path that will go from less to more.'
So far, it has been confirmed that the first three stages of the race will take place from the southern coastal city of Malaga.
Stage 1 will be a short 10km individual prologue around the city of Malaga including a finish on the marble-floored Calle Larios.
In terms of contenders for the 2018 edition of the race, very few have put their name forward.
Defending champion Froome is unlikely to attend. He has already made clear that his goals lie in the attempt of the Giro d'Italia/Tour de France double however with the recent Salbutamol case, it is unclear whether the rider will be facing a suspension at some point next season.
So far, only Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida) has confirmed his attendance. However, with this Vuelta sitting only weeks before a mountainous World Championships in Innsbruck, Austria it is expected some of the world's top climbers will be present for last minute preparations before challenging for the rainbow jersey.