The Vuelta heads north towards Santander with a stage that gives the breakaway specialists a very good chance of success. In recent years, this stage might have finished on the nearby Peña Cabarga, where Chris Froome so very nearly knocked Juan José Cobo out of top spot in 2011. However, with three consecutive high mountain stages just ahead, route directors Paco Gómez and Fernando Escartín have opted for something far less taxing. There are three categorised climbs in the second half, including the tricky ascent of the Caracol but it's mainly downhill from there until the last few rising kilometres.
The GC contenders will certainly be hoping for another easy day. It may be the last one they have.
Fernando Escartín says: "A bit like the stage into Arcos de la Frontera, thisone offers the chance for an ambush, even though it's quite straightforward on the face of it. It rises up to the finish and although it's not overly hard, the gc contenders will have to remain attentive."
Copyright: lavuelta.com
-
'It's gonna look like a road race with a lot of fighting for position' - Romain Bardet extends season at UCI Gravel World Championships
Four-time Tour de France stage winner proving he is still aggressive in new discipline but has modest expectations for Sunday -
'It's survival' – More than podiums at stake as battle for top 30 spots, WorldTour positions and ProTeam priority played out at Le Tour de Langkawi
'Out of the first 30 is out of the Giro d'Italia. For my team, out of the Giro d'Italia – it is closing time,' says Polti-VisitMalta sports director Jesus Hernandez -
Quiz! Can you name all the Il Lombardia winners since 2000?
Test your knowledge of the Race of the Falling Leaves with our latest trivia challenge -
Who has the savvy and skills to win elite races at 2025 UCI Gravel World Championships? A look at the contenders
The fourth edition for gravel gold favours punchy riders on compact, hilly course with roads used by Amstel Gold Race
