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La Vuelta a Espana journeys towards Granada to climb the Hors Catégorie Alto de Hazallanas for a lengthy and gruelling stage before the first rest day.
With Daniel Moreno displacing Nicolas Roche as the General Classification leader and Maillot Rojo (Red Jersey) bearer by a solitary second after Stage 9.
Beginning in the town of Torredelcampo the peloton will cycle 159km to the foot of the Alto de Hazallanas for a massive showdown.
With la Vuelta a Espana trekking through the countryside of Andalucia for yet stage, the temperature could again be a factor in who performs well and who witnesses their challenge vanish in flames.
Temperatures throughout the day are once again expected to be around 30-degrees (Celsius), with some slight relief a possiblity near the end of the stage should the cloud cover forecast eventuate.
The peloton will have to climb 2,738m of accumulated elevation, with the majority of that to come within the final 36km of the stage.
Before the cyclists tackle the slopes of the Alto de Hazallanas, first they shall have to survive the slopes of the Alto de Monachil.
Tthere will be just 12km for the peloton to recover and reorganise before Stage 10’s finale upon the slopes of the Alto de Hazallanas.
Based on the length and categorisation of the two climbs the Alto de Hazallanas is harder than the Alto de Monachil.
However, the Alto de Monachil features a higher average gradient of 7.7 percent compared to 5 percent, with sections of up to 15percent.
So the penultimate climb of the day is not to be underestimated.
That said, almost without a doubt, the General Classification contenders will be waiting for the final few kilometres of the stage should they choose to go on the offensive.
Deceptive one be one word to describe the average gradient of the Alto de Hazallanas, with the majority of the final seven kilometres of the climb at gradients above 10 percent.
At a length of 15.8km, arguably the real climb begins with just seven kilometres remaining.
With the initial eight kilometres of the climb a mere warm up compared to what the riders will have to conquer within the last seven kilometres of the stage.
Should the favourites approach the finishing line as one group then a comically slow ‘sprint’ potentially looms.
With the gradient around 6 percent on average for the majority of the final kilometre, before the climb flattens out about a couple of hundred metres before the finishing line.
If a plucky breakaway or late attack has not already stolen the stage victory and bonus seconds on offer, the finish should suit those riders possessing a punchy uphill sprint.
Stage 10 should see the General Classification begin to start waging a serious war against each other for the overall victory.
With a the first rest day of the 2013 Vuelta a Espana due tomorrow, the riders will have fewer excuses not give it the proverbial 110 percent.
With sections of the road at gradients of up to 18 percent, the climb will suit the thoroughbred climbers.
We should have a clearer idea of just who Team Katusha have nominated as their team leader for the General Classification by the conclusion of Stage 10.
Joaquim Rodriguez has been riding rather cautiously so far, but with several very difficult stages still to come it is arguably the wisest strategy.
With team mate Daniel Moreno currently bearing the Maillot Rojo (Red Jersey) it will be interesting to see who Team Katusha prioritise their domestiques to. Rodriguez should be among the favourites for the stage if he is on form.
Whilst Alejandro Valverde of Team Movistar could also be another favourite should he remain in contention for the stage victory.
The Spaniard’s motives have been interesting to try and predict, with talking of focusing on stage victories and the World Championships appearing truer each day.
Against an on form Rodriguez you could probably expect Valverde to be beaten to the stage victory, but Rodriguez has looked anything but on form so far in la Vuelta.
Will old ‘Ivan the Terrible’, Ivan Basso, of Cannondale be an outside favourite for Stage 10?
Difficult to say when for the majority of the cycling season his rivals have looked more impressive.
However, the veteran Italian rider has been riding well so far this Vuelta a Espana. The lengthier nature of the climb will suit Basso, where his proverbial diesel engine will be more of a factor.
A mention for Vincenzo Nibali of Team Astana by the virtue of him being the favourite to win the race overall. This will arguably be the greatest challenge yet faced by the Italian rider.
Should his rivals assault him on the steep slopes of the Alto de Hazallanas it will be up to him to show he has the form and fitness to respond.
With Nibali looking to peak for the third week of la Vuelta a Espana, this may be the time to strike if his rivals find themselves stronger on the day.
A dark horse to keep an eye out for could be AG2R Le Mondiale’s Domenico Pozzovivo.
Despite being renowned for his erratic form, when the Italian is firing proper bullets instead of blanks he can be a formidable opponent.
The length and steepness of the climb should suit Pozzovivo, with several kilometres of gradients above 10% should he wish to commit to an early attack.
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