August 22, Stage 2: Algeciras - San Fernando 174.4km
Stage preview
This starts in Algeciras, the port almost on Spain's most southern tip, from where ferries cross the straits of Gibraltar to Tangier. It looks like a gentle way to ease into a grand tour. The day's only climb, a cat 3 hill, comes very early on and from that point, there's barely a lump worthy of mention as the route heads North West along Spain's Atlantic coast.
However, this is one of Europe's prime windsurfing locales, which highlights the main difficulty riders are likely to face today. The winds can be f¬ierce off the sea, which could well result in echelons forming. Although the sprinters should ultimately prevail, there is sure to be a constant battle among the GC contenders to remain near the front of the bunch.
Sean Kelly says:
"It's the first road stage of a grand tour so the peloton will be extremely nervous and even more so if the weather doesn't cooperate. The wind could be a huge factor today, creating the risk of echelons, crashes and some crazy and hectic racing."
Copyright: lavuelta.com
Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59
Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Most Popular
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes Live - Can Demi Vollering defend her crown?
The peloton tackle the toughest route yet with 10 climbs across 153km -
Liège-Bastogne-Liège Live - Pogacar and Van der Poel face-off
La Doyenne could deliver Van der Poel a sixth monument, as Pogacar returns with unfinished business from 2023 -
Tour of Turkey: Fabio Jakobsen takes first win of 2024 on stage 1
Cavendish distanced in final sprint -
Lefevere dismisses ‘pressure from the team’ in Julian Alaphilippe’s decision to race on fractured knee
‘Of course he had the final say,’ Soudal-Quickstep manager clarified in his weekly column