Stage 14 of the 2013 Vuelta a Espana sees the riders enter the majestic Pyrenees and tackle the 164km journey from the town of Baga to the summit of the Collada de la Gallina.
Before the finish at that 1550m peak, the riders first need to get through the punishing Envalira mountain pass, the 2410m summit situated almost exactly at the half-way point of the route.
Expect the peloton to be well strung-out by this stage, with those looking to consolidate their positions in the general classifications bound to attack.
It’s tight at the top, with only forty six seconds separating the current top four, so any break by those riders will be crucial in determining the overall outcome of the race.
Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) currently holds a race lead of 0:31 on second-placed Nicolas Roche (Saxo-Tinkoff), with Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) and the evergreen Chris Horner (Leopard) both 0:46 behind the Italian in third and fourth respectively.
More points for the mountain classification will be on offer, with Horner and Roche currently first and second respectively in that competition.
Diego Ulissi (Lampre) and Nicolas Edet (Cofidis) will also have interest in the points, with both currently only five points behind Horner.
Once again, the teams will need to work to a plan and hope they have their contenders in the right position with enough energy left to push on for time gaps and, should the opportunity arise, stage victory.
There is also the opportunity for one of the lesser-lights to grab a stage victory should they be bold enough to break early and the big teams decide they are not enough of a threat to pull back in.
Reputations can be made on such a stage.
Whatever happens, we are sure to be dazzled by some of the most picturesque scenery of the Vuelta, with the Pyrenees rarely disappointing in this respect.
chrismason
Roar Guru
That's it for now, catch us tomorrow night for Stage 15.
chrismason
Roar Guru
Overall classification: 1 Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) 53:56:49 2 Christopher Horner (RadioShack) 0:00:50 3 Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) 0:01:42 4 Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver (Katusha) 0:02:57 5 Domenico Pozzovivo (AG2R) 0:03:43
chrismason
Roar Guru
The biggest loser from today's stage was Nicolas Roche, the Irishman who was second in the overall classification before the stage began, who has dropped four mminutes on Nibali.
chrismason
Roar Guru
Final Result for Stage 14: 1. Daniele Ratto 2. Vincenzo Nibali 3. Christopher Horner 4. Joaquin Rodriguez 5. Samuel Sanchez 6. Alejandro Valverde
chrismason
Roar Guru
Rodriguez finished at 4:11 down on Ratto, Sanchez at 4:20 and Valerde stops the clock at 4:43, Pinot and Pozzovivo were just behind him.
chrismason
Roar Guru
Rodriguez and Sanchez cross the line in fourth and fifth.
chrismason
Roar Guru
Nibali has opened up a gap on Horner to take second on the stage and extend his lead.
chrismason
Roar Guru
Nibali and Horner are at the 500m mark
chrismason
Roar Guru
Nibali and Horner have gained time on their rivals, Horner to grab second spot in the overall classification.
chrismason
Roar Guru
Ratto goes across at 4:24:00
chrismason
Roar Guru
Ratto crosses. Great win by the Italian who managed to stay out front for the majority of the stage is trying conditions. He outlasted many of the heavy-hitters in the world of climbing, including his Cannondale teammate Ivan Basso.
chrismason
Roar Guru
Nibali and Horner have reached the 2km mark
chrismason
Roar Guru
Rotto with 800m to go
chrismason
Roar Guru
The steepest part of the climb is the last 1km - a 15 per cent gradient
chrismason
Roar Guru
Horner and Nibali are now 6:55 from Rotto and have just caught second-placed Phillipe Gilbert
chrismason
Roar Guru
Horner is attacking and Nibali is going with him. Great racing!
chrismason
Roar Guru
Chris Horner is still with Nibali and is upping the tempo on his rival. Nibali has 0:46 on Horner in the overall classification
chrismason
Roar Guru
2km to go now and Rotto will taste victory. Nibali will be content in many of his main rivals having dropped away on this stage.
chrismason
Roar Guru
Nicolas Roche, currently second overall is strung out at the back of the main group.
chrismason
Roar Guru
3km to go for Rotto to reach the finish line now. The Nibali group is 8:45 back and looking comfortable.