As the 2014 Vuelta a Espana fast approaches its conclusion, join The Roar from 12:00am (AEST) for Stage 18, a day with all the ingredients to take us on yet another intriguing journey in what has already been a classic race.
Today’s stage will see the peloton travel 157km from from A Estrada and along Spain’s north-west coastline before twice summiting the deceptively steep category 2 climb, Monte Castrove.
While it is unlikely the day will prove decisive for the General Classification contenders it has just enough spanish spice to keep the peloton on its toes.
The highlight for the day is undoubtedly the double ascent of Monte Castrove, a mountain which could prove an unpredictable beast for the riders to tame.
What the relatively short 5km climb up the Castrove lacks in pure length, it makes up for with an average gradient of 8% and a number of leg burning stretches topping 14%.
The short distance of the climb will undoubtedly suit the punchy styles of Alejandro Valverde and Joaquim Rodriguez but it is becoming harder and harder to bet against Alberto Contador, who seems to be getting better and better as the tour wears on.
The time bonuses on offer at the summit could be alluring to Chris Froome, Valverde and Rodriguez whose battle for the lower tiers of the podium is going down to the wire.
However with nearly three weeks of riding already in the legs, The Castrove could spell potential time losses and a very long day in the saddle for any of the contenders unable to keep touch up the climb.
The flat start and short climb could equally see the stage go to a breakaway and it is easy to see how the likes of Ryder Hesjedal, Andrew Talansky, Wilco Kelderman or even Cadel Evans could try and use this stage to salvage some pride before the race finishes.
Also on the prowl will be Luis Leon Sanchez who will be looking to shore up his King of the Mountains jersey before Friday’s final mountains stage.
I’d love to see this one go to a brave breakaway fighting off a storming peloton but realistically I think Rodriguez and Valverde will leave it all on the road, taking the stage, as they search for those bonus seconds.
All in all it is going to be an intriguing day in the saddle, so join me from 12:00am (AEST) as we follow the action live.
Sam Brown
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining me tonight. It has been a very exciting evening and I cannot wait to see what happens come the final two stages on Friday and Saturday night. This race is still alive!
Sam Brown
Roar Guru
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION 1. Alberto Contador 2. Chris Froome - 1'19 3. Alejandro Valverde - 1'32 4. Joaquin Rodriguez - 2'29 5. Fabio Aru - 3'15 This sets the scene for the final mountains stage. Froome is within striking distance to Contador but a good day for Valverde could see him move back up to second. Even Rodriguez still has an outside chance to take the race but it would certainly take a good stroke of luck.
Sam Brown
Roar Guru
STAGE RESULTS 1. Fabio Aru (Astana) 2. Chris Froome (Sky) - same time 3. Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) - 13'' 4. Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha) - same time 5. Alberto Contador (Saxo Tinkof) - same time Aru takes his third Grand Tour stage win for the year. At only 24 he is certainly one to watch in the future.
Sam Brown
Roar Guru
Full results will be up shortly but for the minute it looks like Contador will remain in the lead, Froom will come in second with about 15 seconds on Valverde, Rodriguez remains in fourth and the stage winner Aru, fifth.
Sam Brown
Roar Guru
Well that is an oppurtunity lost for Valverde. He pushed Movistar so hard along the flats but failed to capatalise and wound up losing time to Froome.
Sam Brown
Roar Guru
The spaniards come in roughtly 15 seconds down on Froome, meaning Froome will leapfrog Valverde into second place in the GC.
Sam Brown
Roar Guru
Aru goes around Froome and takes the stage. A great show from the italian.
Sam Brown
Roar Guru
Froome and Aru will fight for the win
Sam Brown
Roar Guru
Froome and Aru have hit the downhill, I can't see them getting caught now. 1km to go
Sam Brown
Roar Guru
The three spaniards are fighting within when they need to work together.
Sam Brown
Roar Guru
Remember the final 500m is downhill, if they have a gap over the hill they will not be caught.
Sam Brown
Roar Guru
The gap is 15 seconds and remember there is a 10 second time bonus
Sam Brown
Roar Guru
And nothing, Froome has reached Aru and neither Contador, Valverde or Rodriguez have responded.
Sam Brown
Roar Guru
Froome attacks now, Valverde must respond.
Sam Brown
Roar Guru
Contador, Valverde, Rodriguez and Froome. et the foxing begin.
Sam Brown
Roar Guru
2.5km to go, Aru is still in front, all the other 4 leaders have broken free and are chasing.
Sam Brown
Roar Guru
Aru immediately reaches and overtakes Copel as Katusha comes to the front to try and catch the italian.
Sam Brown
Roar Guru
Fabio Aru, who is placed 5th 3:30 down has attacked with no response from the other leaders.
Sam Brown
Roar Guru
Copel is gritting his teeth and this would be quite a win if he could pull it off. He has 9 seconds on the main bunch.
Sam Brown
Roar Guru
4km to go and Copel is pushing hard to make a decent sized gap.