Vuelta a España 2022 stage 11 preview - A sprinter showdown

By published

Wednesday, August 31, 2022: ElPozo Alimentación - Cabo de Gata, 191.2km

BREDA NETHERLANDS AUGUST 21 Sam Bennett of Ireland and Team Bora Hansgrohe Green Points Jersey Mads Pedersen of Denmark and Team Trek Segafredo and Daniel Mclay of United Kingdom and Team Arka Samsic sprint to win during the 77th Tour of Spain 2022 Stage 3 a 1932km stage from Breda to Breda LaVuelta22 WorldTour on August 21 2022 in Breda Netherlands Photo by Tim de WaeleGetty Images
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Stage 11: El Pozo Alimentación - Cabo de Gata

Date: Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Maps and profiles of the 2022 Vuelta a Espana stages

(Image credit: La Vuelta)

The sprinters get a rare chance of victory on stage 11 of the Vuelta a España, with the 191.2km stage ending with a flat and fast run-in to Cabo de Gata, in the southeastern corner of Spain and Andalusia's largest protected coastal area. 

Sam Bennett (Bora-Hansgrohe) left the Vuelta on Tuesday due to COVID-19 and that gives every other sprinter in the race a better chance of victory and so further ambition before the race climbs into the mountains of southern Spain. 

Tim Merlier (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Bryan Coquard (Cofidis), Boy van Poppel (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert), Kaden Groves (BikeExchange-Jayco), John Degenkolb (Team DSM) and Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo) all have a chance of victory. 

Maps and profiles of the 2022 Vuelta a Espana stages

(Image credit: La Vuelta)

Merlier could complete his set of Grand Tour stage wins in Cabo de Gata, while Pedersen will be determined to finally win a stage after his three second places in the opening days of the Vuelta. The former world champion will also be chasing points to strengthen his grip on the green jersey. 

The risk of cross winds appears to have receded and so the sprinters’ biggest threat could come from a large breakaway. However the sprint teams arguably have the combined strength to control the attacks, as race leader Remco Evenepoel and his QuickStep-AlphaVinyl team take a day off and pass control of the race to other teams. 

Cyclingnews

Cyclingnews is the world's leader in English-language coverage of professional cycling. Started in 1995 by University of Newcastle professor Bill Mitchell, the site was one of the first to provide breaking news and results over the internet in English. The site was purchased by Knapp Communications in 1999, and owner Gerard Knapp built it into the definitive voice of pro cycling. Since then, major publishing house Future PLC has owned the site and expanded it to include top features, news, results, photos and tech reporting. The site continues to be the most comprehensive and authoritative English voice in professional cycling.

Latest on Cyclingnews