Roar Guru
Another punishing day of climbing awaits the peloton on Stage 7 with three categorised climbs and many uncategorised lumps to contend with. Join The Roar for live coverage of the 2016 Vuelta a Espana from 11pm (AEST).
After yesterday’s difficult stage, the race organisers have served up another heavy day of climbing to round out the first week of racing, which could open the door for a breakaway given the peloton have tired legs.
The climbing begins after just 18 kilometres, on the Category 3 Puerto de Allariz (6.8km at 4.4%). There’s then have a flat ride to a steep, uncategorised climb at 48 kilometres.
After cresting this steep pitch, the riders descend to the foot of the second categorised climb of the day, the Category 3 Alto de Fumaces, which commences after 69.3 kilometres of racing, measuring 11.2 kilometres and averaging 4.3 per cent.
After a couple of steep, lumpy sections comes the final climb of the day, the Category 3 Alto de Padornello (7km at 3.2%), which begins at 133 kilometres and summits 18 kilometres from the finish. While not overly steep, it could still prove decisive due to the amount of climbing preceding it.
After reaching the summit riders descend all the way into the finish town of Puebla de Sanabria.
The general classification teams will likely take a back seat, as there are three punishing mountain days directly after this stage. That, combined with the amount of energy they spent yesterday, suggests today will be about energy conservation.
The composition of the breakaway will dictate its success – if they’re several minutes down on race leader Darwin Atapuma, BMC will be content to let it go, however – as yesterday showed – if a rider is within touching distance, the American team will chase.
Prediction
This is a textbook breakaway stage on paper. Luis Leon Sanchez, who was so disappointed with yesterday’s second place, will have circled this stage in his pre-race reconnaissance. Other riders who will be active include Simon Clarke, Jan Bakelants, Thomas De Gendt, Phillipe Gilbert, Tiago Machado, Igor Anton Hernandez, and Maxime Bouet.
Join us from 11pm (AEST) for live updates of the Vuelta a Espana as we follow the early stages of this fascinating race.