August 31, Stage 10: Valencia - Castellon 146.6 km
The sprinters will be eager to bring things back together after a late climb
This is another tricky stage with a rather lumpy aspect. With a rest day and a longish transfer to come, the GC riders should be content to let a break go and have the sprinters’ teams chase it down.
There’s a complication for the latter in the shape of the second-category Alto del Desierto de las Palmas, which comes late in the stage. Averaging five per cent over 8km, it featured on the circuit used for the 2011 Spanish Road Race Championship won by JJ Rojas. Very much in the chasers’ favour, though, are the 20km of pan-flat road that follow it and run all the way into the finish.
The breakaway will need two minutes at the very least if they are to hold on until Castellón.
Fernando Escartín (two-time Vuelta runner-up):
"This is one of the few stages on the race for the sprinters. Even though there’s a climb not too far from the finish, I would expect most of them to cope with it fairly comfortably and then retrieve any losses on the 10km drop towards the finish. They won’t want to pass up this opportunity."
The text in this preview originally appeared in the September edition of Procycling magazine.
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
-
Unbound Gravel 200: Massive climbing and new safety measures added for 2024 event
Elite women get 25-minute advantage on Emporia start for northbound route that has 10,750 feet of elevation gain -
Just in time for summer: 20 great gravel bike deals with up to 40% off
We've rounded up the best deals on gravel bikes for the path less travelled -
Match point? Tadej Pogačar looks to wrap up Giro d'Italia early on Prati di Tivo - stage 8 preview
Details of stage 8 from Spoleto to Prati di Tivo, 152km -
Luke Plapp accomplishes mission to take young riders classification lead in Giro d’Italia
Australian Time Trial National Champion moves into fifth overall with solid performance in ITT