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Vuelta a Espana 2016: Stage 6 Live race updates and blog

Roar Guru
25th August, 2016
Route: Monforte de Lemos - Luintra Ribeira Sacra
Distance: 163.2km

General classification
1 Darwin Atapuma (Col)
2 Alejandro Valverde (Spa)
3 Christopher Froome (GBr)
4 Esteban Chaves (Col)
5 Nairo Quintana (Col)
6 Samuel Sanchez (Spa)
7 Ruben Fernandez (Spa)
8 Leopold Konig (Cze)
9 Peter Kennaugh (GBr)
10 Gianluca Brambilla (Ita)
Stage 6 of the Vuelta is prime for Belgian cyclist Phillipe Gilbert. (AFP PHOTO / ANP / BAS CZERWINSKI)
Roar Guru
25th August, 2016
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Another lumpy day awaits the peloton in the 2016 Vuelta a Espana, with a final 70 kilometres consisting of climbing and descending set to ensure only the strong survive. Join The Roar for live coverage of Stage 6 from 11pm (AEST).

After departing Monforte de Lemos, the riders face 90 kilometres of relatively flat roads, broken up with the occasional short hill.

This early terrain should allow a breakaway to form early and build a lead, and the profile lends itself perfectly to one of these opportunists securing a stage victory.

The only respite in the final 70 kilometres comes in the final approach to the finish. Amazingly, there is only one catergorised climb in this huge stretch of lumps, meaning today won’t prove decisive for the general classification riders.

The climb in question is the category 2 Alto Alenza, which measures 10.9 kilometres in length and averages 5.1 per cent, beginning 58 kilometres from the finish.

Surprisingly, the day’s intermediate sprint point is at the summit of the Alto Alenza.

After the descent, there are two more uncategorised climbs, with the final coming approximately five kilometres from the finish, allowing what’s sure to be a reduced peloton have a flat approach to the finish on narrow roads.

Prediction
Today sets up perfectly for the breakaway. General classification teams will have no interest in chasing, as this is not a decisive day in the battle for the overall victory, while sprinters’ teams will be put off by the punishing final 70 kilometres.

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Riders like Luis Leon Sanchez, Thomas De Gendt, Jan Bakelants, Phillipe Gilbert, Simon Clarke, and Simon Gerrans will be desperate to get in the winning break on a stage that suits their characteristics so well.

Join us from 11pm AEST for live updates of the Vuelta a Espana as we follow this fascinating race through the early stages.

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