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2013 Vuelta a Espana – Stage 16 preview

Vincenzo Nibali is a Giro d'Italia favourite with Team Astana. (AFP PHOTO/ JAIME REINA)
Roar Guru
9th September, 2013
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A challenging Stage 15 eventually saw no changes in the make-up of the general classification of the Vuelta a Espana, with Vincenzo Nibali, Christopher Horner, and Alejandro Valverde finishing together.

The 146.8km Stage 16 journey from Graus to Sallent De Gállego – Aramón Formigal appears easier in comparison, as La Vuelta a Espana has proven that sometimes it is on the ‘easier days’ that the race overall can be won or lost.

Fortunately for the peloton the weather during Stage 15 was not quite as horrid as it could have been.

The riders also appeared to come better prepared for the forecast weather than they did for Stage 14, where several riders withdrew due to hypothermia.

A return to warmer temperatures and sunnier days are predicted, with some cloud possible during the categorised climbs.

Stage 16 only features three categorised climbs; however, the route incorporates a steady constant climb to the finish at Sallent De Gállego – Aramón Formigal.

The parcours include 2,735m of accumulated climbing, with the descents the only areas where the riders may be able to try and recuperate.

The climbs become progressively harder as the peloton summit one Category 3 climb, one Category 2 climb, and finish upon a Category 1 climb.

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Arriving just 20km into the stage is the ascent of the Category 3 Alto de la Foradada. The climb measures 5.9km in length and has an average gradient of 5.9 percent (coincidence much?).

After a short descent the peloton will continue to climb, eventually reaching the slopes of the Category 2 Puerto de Cotefablo at the 87.5km mark, whose slope is 12.5km in distance and features an average gradient of 4 percent.

Unless something unexpected happens, the general classification contenders should challenge the strength of their rivals while ascending the Category 1 Aramón Formigal, which measures 15.8km in length.

While the average gradient may only be four percent, the rugged inconsistent nature of the slope means there will be several dips and spikes in the gradient.

The final five kilometres of the stage, approaching the finishing line, will be nowhere near as easy as the four percent average gradient suggests.

The gradient will surpass six percent for roughly 2500m and move closer to eight percent towards the end.

The final kilometre will be around five percent in gradient, which should favour someone like Valverde, if a sprint is on the cards.

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Unless the General Classification riders are prepared to co-operate to control the breakaway for an opportunity at a stage victory, this could be another great stage for the breakaway.

After two difficult days in the Pyrenees, the peloton will be weary and looking forward to the rest day.

With no need to worry about overexerting oneself ahead of another tough stage the day after, there is some incentive for the peloton to ride with some vigour.

With several teams yet to claim a stage victory, there will be an eagerness to position at least one rider within the breakaway.

Should someone deemed a threat to one of the General Classification standings get involved, we can expect the breakaway to experience difficulties forming at first.

Teams will be eager to salvage something of their 2013 Vuelta a Espana campaign and it would be no surprise if Caja Rural attempt to claim a massive stage victory.

Euskaltel-Euskadi, however, will be eager to salvage more than just provisional top 20 placing.

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Lampre-Merida, with no real General Classification threat, could salvage something, perhaps with Deigo Ulissi.

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