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Stage 14 of the 2013 Vuelta a Espana sees the riders enter the majestic Pyrenees and tackle the 164km journey from the town of Baga to the summit of the Collada de la Gallina.
Before the finish at that 1550m peak, the riders first need to get through the punishing Envalira mountain pass, the 2410m summit situated almost exactly at the half-way point of the route.
Expect the peloton to be well strung-out by this stage, with those looking to consolidate their positions in the general classifications bound to attack.
It’s tight at the top, with only forty six seconds separating the current top four, so any break by those riders will be crucial in determining the overall outcome of the race.
Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) currently holds a race lead of 0:31 on second-placed Nicolas Roche (Saxo-Tinkoff), with Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) and the evergreen Chris Horner (Leopard) both 0:46 behind the Italian in third and fourth respectively.
More points for the mountain classification will be on offer, with Horner and Roche currently first and second respectively in that competition.
Diego Ulissi (Lampre) and Nicolas Edet (Cofidis) will also have interest in the points, with both currently only five points behind Horner.
Once again, the teams will need to work to a plan and hope they have their contenders in the right position with enough energy left to push on for time gaps and, should the opportunity arise, stage victory.
There is also the opportunity for one of the lesser-lights to grab a stage victory should they be bold enough to break early and the big teams decide they are not enough of a threat to pull back in.
Reputations can be made on such a stage.
Whatever happens, we are sure to be dazzled by some of the most picturesque scenery of the Vuelta, with the Pyrenees rarely disappointing in this respect.
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