The blistering summer weather continues as the 2014 Vuelta a Espana reaches Stage 4, 164.7 kilometres from Mairena del Alcor to Cordoba. Join The Roar for live coverage of Stage 4 from 12:00am (AEST).
Beginning outside the provincial Andalusian capital of Seville in the streets of Mairena del Alcor, the peloton will be in for a rather pleasant flat ride for the first 106 kilometres.
However, the remaining 58 kilometres could determine who remains in contention for the stage victory.
With two categorised climbs, one a third category and the other a second category, the pure flatland sprinters could struggle to remain in contact with the peloton. The white and blue polka-dot jersey of the King of the Mountains classification could also change hands today, with a maximum of eight points up for grabs.
The third category Alto de San Jerónimo, which is 4.6 kilometres long at an average gradient of 4.6 per cent, will unlikely doom the chances of the sprinters. However, it’s a mere warm up for the second category Alto del Catorce por Ciento, which summits 28 kilometres from the finish.
At first, at a length of eight kilometres at an average gradient of 4.7 per cent, the Alto del Catorce por Ciento does not seem too threatening. Yet lying in wait with a nasty surprise about a kilometre from the summit of the climb is a kilometre-long stretch at an agonising 14 per cent, enough to challenge even the best climbers over longer distances.
Should the race be decided by a bunch sprinter, whether between the sprinters or between a reduced group, the riders should know what awaits them, having already experienced the finish in Cordoba once already. The finale is straightforward in comparison to some finishes seen this year, with the roads straight, wide and relatively free of road furniture.
With Michael Matthews now firmly in the red race leader’s jersey it will be up to Orica-GreenEDGE to marshal the peloton and control any breakaways. The Australian team will be in for another hard day of chasing, but could again come away with the spoils with Matthews a strong contender for the stage victory.
Standing in Matthews’ path to victory will be John Degenkolb and Giant–Shimano, who will be hoping it will be third time lucky for Degenkolb in the sprint. While the German may not be quite as dogged a climber as the Australian, Degenkolb should remain in contention if he is feeling good.
Nacer Bouhanni performed admirably to finish eight on a tough finale to Stage 3, but today’s second category climb may see him distanced by the peloton. However, the French sprinter has obviously come to La Vuelta in good form and will have time to try and rejoin the peloton if he’s distanced.
The last time the race used this climb and descent in 2011 the stage was decisively won by Peter Sagan and a team attack by Team Cannondale. While it is unexpected the Slovakian will be involved in the battle for the stage honours, his teammate Oscar Gatto will be in contention.
Other contenders for the stage include Gerald Ciolek of African team MTN–Qhubeka, Tom Boonen of Omega Pharma-Quick Step, Jasper Styven of Trek Factory Racing and Moreno Hofland of Team Belkin.
Stu
Guest
Thanks for the updates Matthew.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
A quick note before I leave since the provisional results seem to have been modified. Nairo Quintana appears to be back up to second in the General Classification some eight seconds behind current race leader Michael Matthews of Orica - GreenEDGE, meaning everyone bar Matthews in the provisional standings I posted is one position lower than originally reported when Quintana was mysteriously absent.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
That's it from me for tonight, partly due to the fact the website is now throwing consistent 505 Gateway errors at me. Otherwise I would gladly stick around to see where Nairo Quintana officially finished and provide official results for the stage and General Classification. I hope you join us (The Roar) tomorrow for more live coverage of the 2014 Vuelta a Espana with Stage 5, a 180 kilometre-long stage from Priego de Córdoba to Ronda.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Nairo Quintana has seemingly dropped out of the Top 10 of the General Classification after Stage 4. However, these are only provisional results so the Colombian could be missing due to a transponder error, or some other technical issue.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
2014 Vuelta a Espana - General Classification after Stage 4: (Provisional) 01. Michael Matthews (Aus) Orica - GreenEDGE 13:30:44 02. Alejandro Valverde (Esp) Team Movistar +15" 03. Rigoberto Uran (Col) Omega Pharma - Quick-Step +19" 04. Damiano Caruso (Ita) Cannondale Pro Cycling +21" 05. Esteban Chaves (Col) Orica - GreenEDGE +21" 06. George Bennet (Nzl) Cannondale Pro Cycling +24" 07. Haimar Zubeldia (Esp) Trek Factory Racing +24" 08. Alberto Contador (Esp) Tinkoff - Saxo +27" 09. Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling +27" 10. Robert Gesink (Ned) Belkin Pro Cycling +27"
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
So Michael Matthews of Orica - GreenEDGE should retain the red race leader's jersey after finishing third on today's fourth stage, pipped to the line by John Degenkolb of Giant - Shimano and Vincente Reynes of IAM Cycling.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
2014 Vuelta a Espana - Stage 4 Top 10: (Provisional) 01. John Degenkolb of Giant - Shimano 02. Vincente Reynes of IAM Cycling 03. Michael Matthews of Orica - GreenEDGE 04. Damiano Caruso of Team Cannondale 05. Daniel Martin of Garmin - Sharp 06. Alexandr Kolobnev of Team Katusha 07. Lloyd Mondory of AG2R Le Mondiale 08. Valerio Conti of Lampre - Merida 09. Bob Jungels of Trek Factory Racing 10. Fabio Aru of Team Astana
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Vincente Reynes of IAM Cycling was second behind our stage winner John Degenkolb of Giant - Shimano.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Michael Matthews of Orica - GreenEDGE appears to have finished around third or fourth in the end.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
John Degenkolb wins the stage decisively for Giant - Shimano!
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Tony Martin and Dan Martin try to take the wind out of the sail of the sprinters, as IAM Cycling launch the sprint!
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Giant Shimano hit the front now for Degenkolb, with Michael Matthews locked in his wheel!
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Just 1500 metres remaining and Australian Adam Hansen of Lotto Belisol has gone on the attack. As Orica - GreenEDGE look to counter and bring the move back.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Here we go! Lotto Belisol have gone on the attack through Adam Hansen!
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
2000 metres to go and Orica - GreenEDGE are now trying to ramp up the pace ahead of the final 1000 metres and our expected sprint finish!
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Just 3000 metres remaining now, as Simon Clarke of Orica - GreenEDGE finishes his turn on the front for Michael Matthews.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Under 4000 metres of the stage remaining now and Orica - GreenEDGE are still setting the pace leading in to what is expected to be a small sprint finish.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
BMC are beginning to move towards the front with under 5000 metres remaining.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Under six kilometres remaining and Team Movistar are towards the front of the peloton to protect their General Classification contenders, as are the other major teams.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Currently Giant - Shimano and John Degenkolb are lying in wait letting Orica - GreenEDGE do the bulk of the pace-making in the peloton. The Australian team have three riders on the front of the reduced peloton currently.