This is the Vuelta's second visit to the ski resort of Aramón Valdelinares. The first was back in 2005, when Roberto Heras jumped away from rival Denis Menchov in the final kilometre to take the stage win and remove the leader's gold jersey (as it was back then) from the shoulders of Australian Brad McGee. Heras went on to win the title but was stripped of the victory after testing positive for EPO. He then successfully challenged the validity of that test and was reinstated as the winner in 2012. The climb to Valdelinares is steady and, at 11km, is longer than anything that's gone before. Today's winner may not emulate Heras in taking the title but the overall contenders for the red jersey will become very evident.
José Azevedo says: "I rode this in 2005 and I know it's a complicated climb. There will probably be lots of wind early on in the stage, which creates another difficulty. The gc riders will want to gain time on each other at the toughest finish so far."
Copyright: lavuelta.com
Article continues below
-
Reports name Danish IT brand Netcompany as new Ineos Grenadiers sponsor
British team hopes to secure a €50 million annual budget, sign new riders and so take on their rival super teams -
Kévin Vauquelin cries foul play from 'Soudal guy' as Ineos Grenadiers rider launches stunning comeback at Paris-Nice after being dumped in the echelons
Frenchman was chasing for over 100km before dropping most of the GC riders he caught -
'I finished with nothing left in the legs, we were all dead, I think. Today will remain in my head for a long time' - Paris-Nice peloton reacts to stage 4's atrocious weather conditions
Mass falls, abandons and heavy rain, as well as high-speed racing made for memorably difficult day -
'There's only one winner' - Big name Tirreno-Adriatico sprinters left empty handed as Decathlon-CMA CGM celebrate again
Milan, Magnier, De Lie and Philipsen left disappointed after long ride south in the cold and rain
