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La Vuelta a Espana: Stage 8 Preview

Another difficult day awaits the peloton in Stage 17 of la Vuelta a Espana. (AFP PHOTO/ JOSE JORDAN).
Roar Guru
29th August, 2015
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The past two days have seen either hilltop or mountain finishes. Today though is a little easier, but the double ascent of the third category climb of Alto de la Cresta del Gallo will make the 182 kilometres of Stage 8 extremely intriguing.

After a tough first week, the riders will be thrilled that after they leave the start line in Puebla de Don Fadrique, they will be greeted by a very long gradual descent which takes up over 130 kilometres of the day’s route.

The first obstacle of the day is soon after, with the only intermediate sprint of the day being in the town of Murcia after 136 kilometres. This sprint will then set up the riders for the first of two loops around Murcia, which includes the ascents of the Alto de la Cresta del Gallo.

The climb is fairly difficult, averaging 7 per cent for over four kilometres. The pure sprinters will have real trouble getting over these climbs, as the first ascent is crested 36 kilometres from the finish, while the second and final time up the climb is finished just inside the final 20 kilometres.

Any sprinters dropped will have a very difficult time getting back into the peloton.

For mine, there is only one man for today’s stage and that is Peter Sagan. Having won on Stage 3, and finishing strongly on the uphill finishes of Stage 4 and Stage 5, this terrain will suit him perfectly.

He will be able to get over these climbs in the front group, but also have the speed to sprint in the final. His team Saxo Tinkoff have protected him very well so far, and have been willing to do their fair share on the front of the peloton in support of him.

He should be the only sprinter who can get over the climb in the front group, with the possible exception of John Degenkolb. The German’s ability to succeed on a stage like this should not be gauged by his own performance on the day, but that of the leading teams.

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If general classification favourites like Movistar, Astana and Sky set a high pace on the climbs, Degenkolb will not be there in the finale, however, if they set a moderate tempo, he well could be. He will need to be well positioned so he can drop back through the group on the climb, but not end up in the grupetto.

My ‘wildcard’ for today’s stage is Frenchmen Julien Simon. The Frenchmen has a decent sprint on him from a smaller group and can climb as well. So far this year, he has finished inside the top 25 at both Fleche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege.

Furthermore, on a very hilly course on Stage 3 of the Tour de Yorkshire, he finished second behind Greg van Avermaet in the group sprint. He has the ability on a parcours like this to be given a chance, and having finished inside the top 10 on Stage 4, he looks to be in decent form so far this race. He could be there in the end to spoil the party for the big favourites.

Lets also not discount a breakaway staying away, or a late attack. Today could be one of those days like yesterday where the a group of five or six get a lead, and no team is really interested.

However, with a determined Peter Sagan and Saxo Tinkoff at this year’s race, I highly doubt this scenario will occur.

Other riders to look out for today include Daryl Impey and Simon Gerrans, Carlos Barbero and Jose Goncalves, Jose Joaquin Rojas, Moreno Moser, Alejandro Valverde, Joaquim Rodriguez.

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