The 2013 Vuelta a Espana continues its voyage through the Pyrenees with yet another mountain stage. As the peloton journey 146.8km from Graus to Sallent de Gállego – Aramón Formigal, for yet another summit finish. Join us for live updates from 12.00am AEST.
While on paper Stage 16 is easier in comparison to Stages 14 and 15, fatigue could be a massive factor during Stage 16.
Several of the cyclists will be hopeful of just reaching the end of the stage and tomorrow’s second rest day.
If la Vuelta a Espana has taught us anything, we should have learnt by now that it can often be unpredictable.
Similar to Stage 17 of the 2012 Vuelta a Espana, today’s stage looks innocuous but could harbour a surprise or two.
Three categorised climbs feature during the stage, with each progressive rated harder than the previous.
The stage begins with the Category 3 Alto de la Foradada (5.9km at 5.9 percent), progresses to the Category 2 Puerto de Cotefablo (12.5km at 4 percent), and finishes upon the Category 1 Aramón Formigal (15.8km at 4 percent).
The final 3500 metres of Stage 16 could be the scene for an attack from one of the highly placed General Classification riders.
With the gradient at an average of 7 percent during the last 3500 metres of the stage, the difficulty will be telling. While the final 1000 metres of the stage eases slightly with the gradient lowering to 5 percent.
Choosing a favourite for the stage victory will be difficult as the day looks primed for yet another breakaway to go the distance.
Prepare the caffeine and steady yourself for yet another exciting battle between the General Classification heavyweights in the 2013 Vuelta a Espana. Remember to join us from 12.00am AEST for live updates.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Thank you for joining me for another enthralling stage in the 2013 Vuelta a Espana. Be sure to tune in to The Roar over the remainder of la Vuelta a Espana for more live race updates, stage recaps, stage previews, and race analysis. Tomorrow's rest day will be warmly received by most of the riders after three very challenging stages through the Pyrenees. The race resumes on Wednesday with Stage 17, a 189km stage from Calahorra to Burgos that should suit the remaining sprinters and strong opportunists.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
So what appeared on paper to be an easier day in the saddle for the riders has seen a gripping and very close sprint finish between Barguil and Uran. While the General Classification received a shake up as Vincenzo Nibali displayed some signs of weakness heading in to the second rest day, as Horner and Valverde shrunk their time deficits.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Meanwhile, the Top 10 of the General Classification now appears as follows: 1st. Vincenzo Nibali of Team Astana 2nd. Christopher Horner of Radioshack-Leopard +28" 3rd. Alejandro Valverde of Team Movistar + 1'14" 4th. Joaquim Rodriguez of Team Katusha +2'29" 5th. Domenico Pozzovivo of AG2R +3'38" 6th. Nicolas Roche of Team Saxo-Tinkoff +3'34" 7th. Thibaut Pinot of FDJ.fr +4'37" 8th. Leopold Koing of NetApp-Endura +6'17" 9th. Samuel Sanchez of Euskaltel-Euskadi +7'33" 10th. Tanel Kangert of Team Astana +9'21
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
So the podium for Stage 16 of the 2013 Vuelta a Espana is: 1st. Warren Barguil of Argos-Shimano 2nd. Rigoberto Uran of Team Sky 3rd. Bartosz Huzarski of NetApp-Endura.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Warren Barguil expressing his excitement at winning a second 2013 Vuelta a Espana stage in the post-race interview.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Christopher Horner has closed the time gap to Vincenzo Nibali to 28 seconds in the General Classification. However, the Italian retains the Maillot Rojo (Red Jersey) heading in to tomorrow's rest day!
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
So plenty of drama today in la Vuelta a Espana on this exciting Stage 16. With 21 year old Warren Barguil of Argos-Shimano defeating Rigoberto Uran of Team Sky in a very close sprint finish.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Replays show that Warren Barguil of Argos-Shimano took out the Stage 16 victory in the sprint against Rigoberto Uran of Team Sky by the narrowest of margins.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Vincenzo Nibali of Team Astana crosses the line roughly 22 or 26 seconds behind Chris Horner!
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Joaquim Rodriguez crosses the line a few seconds in front of Valverde, Pinot, and Horner.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Horner, Valverde and Pinot approach the line with no Nibali in sight. With the Italian further down the climb with Konig.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Joaquim Rodriguez is still up the road and fighting for time. Behind him comes Chris Horner.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
WARREN BARGUIL! What a close sprint finish as the Frenchman of Argos-Shimano takes the victory!
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Our two stage leaders have been caught by Nerz of BMC and Harauski of Netapp-Endura.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
The Italian would appear to be in difficulty, as Horner is sighted up the road chasing Joaquim Rodriguez.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Valverde goes on the attack again! Nibali has to respond! No sign of Horner at the moment.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Just 1000 metres left for our two stage leaders Barguil and Uran.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
The camera pans back to Warren Barguil as Rigoberto Uran catch the Frenchman, as Barguil manages to hold the wheel of the Colombian!
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Just two kilometres to go fro the peloton of the main favourites.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Team Katusha now go on the attack! Joaquim Rodriguez uses his team mate to launch him up the mountain!