Vuelta a España 2022 stage 11 preview - A sprinter showdown

Stage 11: El Pozo Alimentación - Cabo de Gata

Date: Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Distance: 191.2km

Stage timing: 12:35-17:30 CET

Stage type: Flat

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. 

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.