 The 2015 Vuelta included nine summit finishes , none of which had previously been used in the race . Unusually , the principal difficulties of the race came in the first two weeks , including all nine summit finishes . It was therefore expected that the climbers would need to attack early in the race , in order to build up a significant lead ahead of the lengthy time trial on Stage 17 . The race organisers also hoped to encourage sprinters to take part by including seven fairly flat stages . 
