Distance: 172.5km
Category: Flat
Highest point: 250m
Can a stage with a summit finish be described as flat? The route of this stage suggests it can. Although the riders face a vicious climb at the finish, the final ascent is short and there's barely a bump of note before they reach it. The Lobeira 'lookout' provides a stunning 360-degree view of the coastline and region around Vilagarcía de Arousa – not that the riders will be interested in that. The final climb isn't as tough as last year's ascent of the Mirador de Ezaro, where Joaquim Rodríguez gained valuable seconds on his rivals. Yet its average grade of 10 per cent over more than 2km will line out the peloton significantly. The gaps between the GC contenders will be a matter of seconds.
Abraham Olano: "This a complicated stage with lots of ups and downs, and with an uphill finish, which should be contested by a good-sized group. This final climb is not hard like the Mirador de Ézaro but it will favour a puncheur, a rider such as Peter Sagan or Philippe Gilbert perhaps."
-
![Merida Scultura Disc 10K-E review]()
Merida Scultura Disc 10K-E review
Light and stiff with predictable handling, the Merida Scultura Disc proves there's still a place for the traditional climbing bike in today's aero-obsessed racing culture -
![Fizik Vento Argo R5 saddle review]()
Fizik Vento Argo R5 saddle review
The Vento Argo is Fizik’s entry into the increasingly popular short-nose saddle market but where does it sit in our rankings? -
![Giro d’Italia: 10 favourites to watch on GC]()
Giro d’Italia: 10 favourites to watch on GC
Thomas, Nibali, Fuglsang and Simon Yates lead the list of overall contenders for the maglia rosa -
![Anna Van der Breggen wins La Fleche Wallonne Feminine]()
Anna Van der Breggen wins La Fleche Wallonne Feminine
Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig and Demi Vollering complete podium
