Proycling's Analysis: If the contenders for the overall title weren’t clarified on the Velefique, they almost certainly will be today. The first-cat is 25km and reaches 2000m, the second is half that but frighteningly steep at points. From there, it’s straight on to the climb to the Sierra Nevada ski station. It’s not steep, but will take a huge toll after what’s gone before.
Local hero: This is a big day for Granada’s Manuel Calvente, who heads home as one of the key men in the Contentpolis-Murcia team.
Vuelta Retro: The most famous finish here was in 1995, when Laurent Jalabert slowed drastically to allow long-time solo breakaway Bert Dietz to sneak home for the stage win his bravery merited.
Neil Stephens says: Anything that's got an uphill finish is important to us because we're going for the overall. Alejandro Valverde will be up for the stage win if he's in a position to do so but as long as he's up there that's what we're looking for. We'd only look for the win if there's no break up the road and we are in a position to take the stage.
This stage is good for someone like Cadel Evans. He'll work out a happy medium about where he attacks, and there are enough areas in the Vuelta where he can light it up if he wants to and he can certainly make a difference.
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