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After the late drama of Stage 8, la Vuelta a Espana continues the hurt with the second of three stages suited to the climbers.
The burden will be off Vincenzo Nibali and Team Astana, with Nicolas Roche and Team Saxo-Tinkoff now expected to control the race.
Journeying 163.7km from Antequera to Valdepeñas De Jaén, la Vuelta a Espana shall explore the landscape of Andalucia for yet another day.
With the stage located entirely inland and away from the coast, the wind is predicted to be light and of little issue to the peloton.
Of bigger concern to the riders will be the heat, with some riders possibly feeling the effects of the temperature yesterday while ascending the Alto Peñas Blancas.
Tomorrow will be no different for the peloton, with temperatures once again predicted to be around the high 20s to low 30s (celsius).
The stage features one categorised climb and 2,180m of accumulated elevation gain. Arriving just 22.1km from the finish, the Category 2 Alto de los Failes could act as a launch pad for a daring breakaway victory.
At roughly 6 kilometres in length and an average gradient of 5.8 percent, the climb could whittle down the peloton’s numbers before the finish.
After descending from the summit of the Alto de los Failes, the riders will face a tough stage finale. With the rise up to the finishing line within the final kilometre above 7 percent in average gradient.
The type of finish best suited to someone light and punchy like Joaquim Rodriguez of Team Katusha, with sections of gradient above 20 percent.
The climb has featured before as a stage finish in La Vuelta, with Rodriguez often one of the best performers on the day.
The General Classification contenders will arguably be saving the majority of their ‘powder’ for tomorrow’s massive mountain stage.
However, involvement during the stage finale will be mandatory, as the riders jockey for position at the front of the pack to respond to any attacks and possibly vie for the stage victory.
Though the stage victory may go to someone with nothing to lose in the General Classification should conservatism rule the day.
A strong favourite for the stage victory could be Daniel Moreno, whose lofty position in the General Classification is owed to some of his aggressive riding for stage victories.
The Spaniard has already shown his punchy accelerations with his attacks on Stages 2 and 4. While compatriot and team mate Joquim Rodriguez will also be a heavy favourite if he decides to contest the stage victory and the bonus seconds available.
Despite any desires to hold something back for tomorrow’s tenth stage, the harshness of Stage 9’s finale will force many General Classification riders to compete.
Alejandro Valverde will fancy his chances of claiming the stage victory, but will up against stiff competition.
While Vincenzo Nibali need to compete to ensure he keeps his rivals at bay. Whilst Nicolas Roche will be an outsider to keep an eye on, will he lose the Maillot Rojo or perform strongly?
With Carlos Betancur effectively out of the General Classification, if not the race entirely, as a threat. The burden falls upon Domenico Pozzovivo to perform well within the General Classification for AG2R Le Mondiale.
So far the Italian climber has avoided the erratic form that usually dogs his ambitions. The very steep and short finish to Stage 9 will push his abilities and form to the limit.
Simon Gerrans could potentially be a contender, as the Australian punchuer has a decent pair of climbing legs on him and a punchy finish to boot.
The short and quite sharp effort could suit him if he were on great form. However, the final kilometre of the stage will sort the feeble from the strong, and soon ruin the chances of anyone not 100 percent fit mentally or physically.
Should Philippe Gilbert of BMC manage to crest the Alto de los Failes in contact with the front of the peloton, or near enough to be able to rejoin them during the descent.
Perhaps the reigning World Champion will finally break his barren spell of no victories and the superstitious curse of the Rainbow Jersey.
The punchy nature of the finish on paper suits his characteristics, but the Belgian would need to be at his 2011 best to conquer the ridiculously steep gradients.
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