The race hits the windy plains across central Spain to Leon. It's a flat stage, but the hairdryer winds at this time of year can wreak havoc with the peloton. Smart GC riders will stay close to the front in case the race splits into echelons. German Marcel Wust is the only rider who has won this stage twice and compatriot Erik Zabel will be looking to match his record after winning here in 2001.
Coming!
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Giro d'Italia stage 4 Live – One solo escapee on the race's flattest day
The first stage in Italy also brings the first truly flat finale, and an expected bunch finish for the pure sprinters -
'Everything has to go a little bit right' – Lotto keep sights on WorldTour promotion after forgoing Giro d'Italia
Belgian team, 10th in current UCI rankings, welcomes back Arnaud De Lie and others after injury and illness-hit spring -
'I was a functioning addict' – Bradley Wiggins speaks about his personal trauma and how he got his life back on track
2012 Tour de France winner to undergo special therapy in the USA thanks to support from Lance Armstrong -
We didn't see this coming: This Eddy Merckx x Capri-Sun bike is the most unexpected collab we've seen all year
Profits from the limited edition bike will go to the War Child organisation
