The second stage of the 2013 la Vuelta a Espana sees the race already heading up mountains. We’ll have live updates from 12.30am AEST.
The 177.7km stage will start in Pontevedra, finishing in Baiona, atop the Alto Do Monte Da Groba.
Today’s stage is possibly a day for the breakaway with the Category 3 Alto de San Cosme appearing in roughly the middle of the day.
It would be safe to assume that some of the GC riders will be looking to test the legs of their rivals but I wouldn’t expect an all-out attack so early in a Grand Tour.
I have a feeling today’s winner could well be from Euskaltel-Euskadi given their willingness to commit plenty of men to the breakaway.
However expect riders from Vacansoleil, Cofidis, Movistar and AG2R to all jump on any chance of a breakaway.
You may even see some of the Orica-Greenedge boys get across especially Simon Clarke given his recent form.
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
Nicholas Roche has taken today's stage during a thrilling finish. Moreno finishes 2nd with Pozzovivo 3rd. Nibali takes the overall lead, Roche is second at 8 seconds and Zubeldia is 3rd at 10 seconds.
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
Breakaway has been caught but Janez Brajkovic has dropped from the leading group along with Samuel Sanchez.
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
1 min 15 sec gap as they start the climb
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
Any team with a GC contender is moving to the front of the peloton with around 14km to the finish.
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
10km to go until they hit the final climb and break is 4min 50sec off the front. Hoogerland has had his spell at the front and has dropped off the front of the peloton.
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
20km to go and the lead is at 5 minutes for the breakaway
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
With 19km still left to go today, and the gap rapidly declining and currently at 4'30". The breakaway will require a second wind to stay away in my opinion. The peloton at the moment are doing enough to reel in this breakaway.
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
Lead down to 5:34min, still the same 3 that when from the gun earlier in the day.
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
Vacansoleil have also got on the front and the lead has fallen dramatically to 7 minutes.
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
Lead down to 10min 44sec, Movistar and Cannondale also on the front now.
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
Lead down to 11min 22sec
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
Breakaway starting to be hauled in with the work of Lampre on the head of the peloton
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
Fabricio Ferrari has punctured. No harm done to anyone in the peloton. Lampre have begun to work with Astana.
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
The average speed of today's stage has been a brisk 39.8km/h. So far it has been as expected. The breakaway has been given plenty of room with Astana being asked to do all the work given they have the leader of the race.
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
Aramendia is the virtual leader of the King of the Mountains jersey at the moment but there is still the Category 1 climb to come.
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
Apologies I got distracted when I found out the cricket was on. Anyway, on to the cycling. Koldo Fernández De Larrea of Garmin Sharp has pulled out due to a crash in yesterday's stage. 3 riders are currently in the lead: Greg Henderson, Francisco Javier Aramendia and Alex Rasmussen. They have a 13 minute gap on the Astana led Peloton