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2013 Vuelta a Espana: Stage 8 live updates, blog

Roar Guru
31st August, 2013
2013 La Vuelta a Espana - Stage 8

Jerez de la Frontera - Alto PeƱas Blancas (Estepona)

Start: 12.00am AEST
Distance: 166.6km
TV: Eurosport (LIVE)
Roar Guru
31st August, 2013
64

Stage 8 of the 2013 Vuelta a Espana will bring with it the first real test for the contenders of this year’s race. We’ll have live updates from midnight.

The 170km route is the first of three Andalusian stages, with the peloton starting in Jerez de la Frontera and finishing in the town of Estepona, with a category one climb to the summit of Alto de Penas Blancas.

The 980m mountain-top finish will surely have the heavy-hitters jostling for supremacy out front and many behind them struggling to finish.

Two intermediate sprints will again be on offer for those interested in the points race and there are bound to be some for those Australian fans following the fortunes of Orica-GreenEDGE’s Michael Matthews.

It will be a tough one for the sprinters, however, with several climbs early-on sure to open up a gap between those with mountain legs and those who prefer the flat.

Matthews may have to be content in staying with his rivals and survive the day, rather than going for the points.

Look for Astana and Movistar to set the pace in this stage for their men Vincenzo Nibali of Italy and Alessandro Valverde of Spain.

Team Sky will also work for Rigoberto Uran, with the Colombian’s effort in the 2013 Giro (second overall) sure to make his rivals wary.

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Uran will also be leaving Sky at the end of the season for Omega Pharma-Quick Step, so will hope to go out with a bang.

Tactics and energy retention will be key factors, with even the smallest mistake by those hoping to finish on the podium sure to be taken advantage of by their rivals.

We are sure to see some great racing tonight.

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