Vuelta stages don't come any more straightforward than this. The riders will cover eight laps of a 21km circuit in and around Logroño, one of the main centres for the production of Rioja wines. The circuit barely features any undulations and is consequently almost a dead cert for a bunch sprint in front of crowds treated to multiple views of the racers. In the 2012 edition of the Vuelta, what was exactly the same stage concluded with a sprint victory for John Degenkolb, who beat Daniele Bennati by half a wheel for the second of what would be five stage wins.
The GC contenders will be content to finish safely in the pack and know there's just one more stage to go before the serious high mountain action begins.
Sean Kelly says: "Even though it's a city circuit, the wind could still be a factor in this region. If it is blowing, the riders will quickly realise when it becomes a crosswind and will all want to be at the front at that point on the next lap. It'll make for aggressive racing."
Copyright: lavuelta.com
-
'I just disconnected my body and went full' – David Gaudu risks it with sprinters to take leader's red jersey from Jonas Vingegaard at Vuelta a España
Frenchman rides into first Grand Tour lead on stage 4, overtaking Dane thanks to sum of stage positions -
How to watch the Vuelta a España 2025: TV, streaming, official broadcasters
Where to watch the third and final men's Grand Tour of the season from August 23 to September 14 in Spain -
Vuelta a España stage 5 team time trial start times
24.1km TTT around Figueres set to usher in time gaps as top two currently tied on time -
Tour Poitou-Charentes: Jason Tesson wins opening stage in tight sprint against Arnaud Démare
Photo finish between Frenchmen gives first leader's jersey to TotalEnergies rider
