One of the toughest stages of the 2015 Vuelta will be the stage in Andorra. 138 miles and six climbs, four first and one special category. Sufficient to cause cold sweats from some of the riders attending the route presentation.

And all eyes, of course, are on the figure of Joaquim Rodriguez, who lives in Andorra. "They couldn’t have picked a harder route for the stage in Andorra. A key stage, where they could see the different climbs that perhaps people who are not there, do not know" explained Rodríguez, who does not hide that it may be an epic day, resounding. "The truth is that I think have gotten a tough stage that will leave a mark on the Tour of Spain and world cycling. It will go down in history as it is so hard.”

The next day is not as tough, but after a rest day, Rodriguez will be wary. "There is a long transfer and then the next day usually costs more jump on the bike and the truth is that we also have an interesting start," he warned.

After the great mountain stage, there will be three days in Cantabria to end the second week: "These are also tough stages. There wont be a good feeling in the legs, we will all be tired and everyone will want to do something, whether that’s staying high on the GC or trying to take a stage win. And then there are the bonuses that act as an incentive to chase down the breaks. Sometimes I wish the bonuses didn’t exist. 

He has also spoken about the new final climb of stage 16, on Ermita del Alba. "We had already discussed this stage, it might be too harsh, the Queen stage of the race. We have never raced the final climb and I will need to recon this stage as I have been told it is truly hard.”

Then will be the turn of the flat lap of Burgos, the great handicap for Parets del Vallés - "and I do not like so much," he said half serious, half joking after making sure be after the second day of rest-and end in the mountains of Madrid. “In the Sierra de Madrid there are always surprises and since it’s near the end, we are all pretty tired.”

"It's a pretty nice race, like recent Vueltas. Complicated, demanding finals, which are ultimately the ones that attract the viewers. And if the format has hitherto enjoyed, stick with it. A race where you have to be good from start to finish, which leaves you no room to get fit during the race. The last week seems a little less hard but we will be tired so it remains to be seen if it can also be difficult," concluded the Katusha rider.