The Vuelta reaches Spain for the first time, starting at Falset among the terraced vineyards of the Priorat and dropping south to Roquetes near the mouth of the Ebro. It is a hilly stage rather than a mountainous one, with a little over 1,100 metres of climbing, and the only real obstacle is a four kilometre ramp at around 5.6% inside the last 30 km. From its summit the road falls away towards the delta and the run to the line is flat, which usually produces a reduced bunch rather than a solo winner. Late August heat in southern Catalonia does as much damage as the terrain.