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2014 Vuelta a Espana: Stage 6 preview, live blog

Roar Guru
28th August, 2014
General classification
1 Michael Matthews (Aus) Orica Greenedge 18:12:31
2 Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas (Col) Movistar Team 0:00:13
3 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar Team 0:00:20
4 Rigoberto Uran Uran (Col) Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team 0:00:24
5 Damiano Caruso (Ita) Cannondale 0:00:26
6 Jhoan Esteban Chaves Rubio (Col) Orica Greenedge
7 Haimar Zubeldia Agirre (Spa) Trek Factory Racing 0:00:29
8 Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling Team 0:00:32
9 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Tinkoff-Saxo
10 Robert Gesink (Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling Team
John Degenkolb is continuing to improve as he returns to racing (Image: Team Sky)
Roar Guru
28th August, 2014
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We won’t know who will win the Vuelta a Espana at the end of today’s stage, but we’ll certainly know who won’t be standing atop the podium at the end of the race. Join us for live updates from 12:00am (AEST).

Stage 6 is the first uphill finish of the race, from Benalmadena to La Zubia.

The stage itself is rolling, so even by the bottom of the final climb there will be some tired legs in the peloton.

The final uphill drag is actually less than five kilometres, but the climb drags up to 17 per cent at points, along with sections over 10 per cent, which will test even the main contenders of this Vuelta.

Favourites for the stage include Joaquim Rodriguez and Garmin-Sharp’s remaining general classification contender Dan Martin, but the likes of Alberto Contador and Chris Froome will need to remain close to ensure they don’t lose any time.

The added incentive of time bonuses on the line mean there is more point in overtaking your rivals for second or third even if the winner has already finished, making the race to the top more exciting.

This will probably be the day Michael Matthews loses his race lead unless he manages to reawaken his climbing ability from the Giro d’Italia. Nairo Quintana is the man in second place, but he probably won’t want the race lead this early in the race.

Follow all the action of Stage 6 here on The Roar.

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