Vuelta a Espana organizer Unipublic earlier today unveiled a 2012 route that favors climbers in a race confined to the north of the country.

The 21-stage, 2,050-mile race begins August 18 in Pamplona, best known for its annual Running of the Bulls event. It ends in Madrid on September 9.

Climbers will face 13 mountain stages that include six summit finishes, including three straight (stages 14 to 16). A penultimate stage finish at 7,380 feet at the Bola del Mundo outside the Spanish capital could decide the winner. The 2012 Tour of Spain also features one team time trial and one individual time trial.

Defending champion Juan Jose Cobo of Team Movistar expects the 2012 Vuelta a Espana to be "very demanding and spectacular."