- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
The blistering summer weather continues as the 2014 Vuelta a Espana reaches Stage 4, 164.7 kilometres from Mairena del Alcor to Cordoba. Join The Roar for live coverage of Stage 4 from 12:00am (AEST).
Beginning outside the provincial Andalusian capital of Seville in the streets of Mairena del Alcor, the peloton will be in for a rather pleasant flat ride for the first 106 kilometres.
However, the remaining 58 kilometres could determine who remains in contention for the stage victory.
With two categorised climbs, one a third category and the other a second category, the pure flatland sprinters could struggle to remain in contact with the peloton. The white and blue polka-dot jersey of the King of the Mountains classification could also change hands today, with a maximum of eight points up for grabs.
The third category Alto de San Jerónimo, which is 4.6 kilometres long at an average gradient of 4.6 per cent, will unlikely doom the chances of the sprinters. However, it’s a mere warm up for the second category Alto del Catorce por Ciento, which summits 28 kilometres from the finish.
At first, at a length of eight kilometres at an average gradient of 4.7 per cent, the Alto del Catorce por Ciento does not seem too threatening. Yet lying in wait with a nasty surprise about a kilometre from the summit of the climb is a kilometre-long stretch at an agonising 14 per cent, enough to challenge even the best climbers over longer distances.
Should the race be decided by a bunch sprinter, whether between the sprinters or between a reduced group, the riders should know what awaits them, having already experienced the finish in Cordoba once already. The finale is straightforward in comparison to some finishes seen this year, with the roads straight, wide and relatively free of road furniture.
With Michael Matthews now firmly in the red race leader’s jersey it will be up to Orica-GreenEDGE to marshal the peloton and control any breakaways. The Australian team will be in for another hard day of chasing, but could again come away with the spoils with Matthews a strong contender for the stage victory.
Standing in Matthews’ path to victory will be John Degenkolb and Giant–Shimano, who will be hoping it will be third time lucky for Degenkolb in the sprint. While the German may not be quite as dogged a climber as the Australian, Degenkolb should remain in contention if he is feeling good.
Nacer Bouhanni performed admirably to finish eight on a tough finale to Stage 3, but today’s second category climb may see him distanced by the peloton. However, the French sprinter has obviously come to La Vuelta in good form and will have time to try and rejoin the peloton if he’s distanced.
The last time the race used this climb and descent in 2011 the stage was decisively won by Peter Sagan and a team attack by Team Cannondale. While it is unexpected the Slovakian will be involved in the battle for the stage honours, his teammate Oscar Gatto will be in contention.
Other contenders for the stage include Gerald Ciolek of African team MTN–Qhubeka, Tom Boonen of Omega Pharma-Quick Step, Jasper Styven of Trek Factory Racing and Moreno Hofland of Team Belkin.
Fancy a wager on your favourite sport? Head on over to PlayUp for great odds and friendly customer service and pick a winner. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.