The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

2013 Vuelta a Espana: Stage 7 live updates, blog

Roar Guru
30th August, 2013
2013 La Vuelta a Espana - Stage 7

Almendralejo - Mairena de Aljafare

Start: 12.00am AEST
Distance: 205.9 km
TV: Eurosport (LIVE)
Roar Guru
30th August, 2013
60

Stage 7 of the 2013 Vuelta a Espana sees the race head back to Andalusia for the 195km journey from Almendralejo to Mairena de Aljarafe. Join us for live updates from midnight AEST.

Although we are edging ever-closer to the important mountain stages that will determine who finishes on the podium, this one is relatively flat and will most likely be determined by a sprint finish.

There are also few points on offer, with only two intermediate sprints, so expect a breakaway from those who want to spend some time out front but also expect any breakaway to be reeled end once we reach the business end of the stage.

With a number of corners and roundabouts in the last kilometre, the peloton should be stretched out further than usual coming into the sprint finish.

Positioning will be crucial, with whichever team able to produce the strongest lead-out train most likely get their man over the line first.

Look for Argos-Shimano, Omega-Pharma QuickStep and Garmin-Sharp up the front.

Orica-GreenEDGE will also be in contention and especially buoyed after Michael Matthews’ Stage 5 win.

Italian Vincenzo Nibali of Astana holds the overall lead heading into Stage 7 and will be looking to stay safe and retain energy for the mountains.

Advertisement

American Chris Horner (Leopard) and Frenchman Nicolas Roche (Saxo-Tinkoff) round out the top three.

Australian Michael Matthews (Orica-GreenEDGE) tops the point’s race, leading from Spain’s Daniel Moreno (Katyusha) and Argentine Maximiliano Richeze (Lampre).

Roche (first) and Moreno (third) are also well-placed in the King of the Mountains category, book-ending Frenchman Nicolas Edet (Cofidis) in second.

Whatever happens, there is no doubt this stage will offer some amazing scenery for all those watching.

close