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As the 2014 Vuelta a Espana fast approaches its conclusion, join The Roar from 12:00am (AEST) for Stage 18, a day with all the ingredients to take us on yet another intriguing journey in what has already been a classic race.
Today’s stage will see the peloton travel 157km from from A Estrada and along Spain’s north-west coastline before twice summiting the deceptively steep category 2 climb, Monte Castrove.
While it is unlikely the day will prove decisive for the General Classification contenders it has just enough spanish spice to keep the peloton on its toes.
The highlight for the day is undoubtedly the double ascent of Monte Castrove, a mountain which could prove an unpredictable beast for the riders to tame.
What the relatively short 5km climb up the Castrove lacks in pure length, it makes up for with an average gradient of 8% and a number of leg burning stretches topping 14%.
The short distance of the climb will undoubtedly suit the punchy styles of Alejandro Valverde and Joaquim Rodriguez but it is becoming harder and harder to bet against Alberto Contador, who seems to be getting better and better as the tour wears on.
The time bonuses on offer at the summit could be alluring to Chris Froome, Valverde and Rodriguez whose battle for the lower tiers of the podium is going down to the wire.
However with nearly three weeks of riding already in the legs, The Castrove could spell potential time losses and a very long day in the saddle for any of the contenders unable to keep touch up the climb.
The flat start and short climb could equally see the stage go to a breakaway and it is easy to see how the likes of Ryder Hesjedal, Andrew Talansky, Wilco Kelderman or even Cadel Evans could try and use this stage to salvage some pride before the race finishes.
Also on the prowl will be Luis Leon Sanchez who will be looking to shore up his King of the Mountains jersey before Friday’s final mountains stage.
I’d love to see this one go to a brave breakaway fighting off a storming peloton but realistically I think Rodriguez and Valverde will leave it all on the road, taking the stage, as they search for those bonus seconds.
All in all it is going to be an intriguing day in the saddle, so join me from 12:00am (AEST) as we follow the action live.
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