Before they can enjoy the first rest day of La Vuelta a Espana 2016 the peloton must first overcome a challenging summit finish on Lagos de Covadonga. Can new race leader David de la Cruz successfully defend his red jersey? Join The Roar for live updates and commentary from 11pm (AEST).
Measuring 188.7 kilometres in length and starting in the town of Lugones, a hilly and mountainous parcours awaits the riders. With the proverbial sting in the tail coming in the final 50 kilometres as the riders tackle the slopes of the Alto del Mirador del Fito and Lagos de Covadonga.
Beginning with just 46.7 kilometres of the stage remaining, the climb of the Alto del Mirador del Fito will give the riders an early indication of just how good their legs are. Measuring 6.2 kilometres in length at an average gradient of 7.8 per cent, the ascent features gradients as high as 11.5 percent.
After crossing the summit of the Alto del Mirador del Fito a 10.4 kilometre-long descent follows, bringing the riders to Arriondas for a second time. After which the road will slowly and steadily begin climbing again on the approach to the second and final categorised climb of the day, Lagos de Covadonga.
While the climb of the Lagos Covadonga unofficially begins further out than the race’s road book gives it credit for, officially the ascent begins with just 12.2 kilometres remaining. The irregular nature of the slope will challenge the riders, with the gradient constantly changing over the course of the staircase-like ascent. The listed average gradient of 7.2 per cent deceptively hides sections of road reaching as high as 17.5 per cent in gradient, masking the climb’s true difficulty.
With the teams of the General Classification contenders often busy riding their own race within the race could we see the breakaway steal the spotlight for yet another day? History fancies the breakaway’s chances with the stage often won by someone from the breakaway of the day.
The security of tomorrow’s first rest day should allow the General Classification contenders to leave everything on the pavement today. Meaning we could see the likes of Nairo Quintana, Alberto Contador, Esteban Chaves and Chris Froome attempt to gain time over each other.
After his performance on La Camperona during Saturday’s eight stage Nairo Quintana, on paper at least, looks to be the strongest of those vying for the overall race victory. Alberto Contador will again be the joker in the pack, despite being the second strongest of the General Classification contenders on Saturday, as we wait to see just how the Spaniard recovers from his injuries in the long-term.
The stage is set for a thrilling battle for not just the stage victory but also the coveted red jersey, remember to join The Roar from 11pm (AEST) for all the action.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
That concludes The Roar's live coverage of a thrilling tenth stage in the 2016 Vuelta a Espana. Thank you for joining me for tonight's nail-bitter to Lagos de Covadonga. Tomorrow is the first rest day of the race so remember to rejoin me on Wednesday for Stage 11 as the Vuelta a Espana continues to throw challenging summit finishes at the riders.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Nairo Quintana moves back into the red jersey after 'loaning" the jersey to Etixx - Quick-Step's David de la Cruz for a day. After regaining the red jersey can the Colombian now hold it all the way through to Madrid? History may be in Quintana's favour as Alberto Contador did just that in 2014 after winning the stage to Lagos de Covadonga.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
So that is two riders in the top 10 of the General Classification now for Australian team Orica BikeExchange with Esteban Chaves sitting in fourth, two minutes and nine seconds adrift of race leader Nairo Quintana, and Simon Yates in eighth, three minutes and six seconds adrift.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
[Provisional Result] 2016 Vuelta a Espana - General Classification after Stage 10 01. Nairo Quintana of Movistar Team... 38:37:07" 02. Alejandro Valverde of Movistar Team... +0:57" 03. Chris Froome of Team Sky... +0:58" 04. Esteban Chaves of Orica BikeExchange... +2:09" 05. Alberto Contador of Tinkoff... +2:54" 06. Leopold Konig of Team Sky... +2:57" 07. David de la Cruz of Etixx - Quick-Step... +3:03" 08. Simon Yates of Orica BikeExchange... +3:06" 09. Michele Scarponi of Astana Pro Team... +3:14" 10. Samuel Sanchez of BMC Racing Team... +3:20"
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
[Provisional Result] 2016 Vuelta a Espana - Stage 10 01. Nairo Quintana of Movistar Team.... 04:50:31" 02. Robert Gesink of Team LottoNL - Jumbo... +0:24" 03. Chris Froome of Team Sky... +0:25" 04. Omar Fraile of Dimension Data... +0:28" 05. Alejandro Valverde of Movistar Team... +0:28" 06. Michele Scarponi of Astana Pro Team... +0:28" 07. Esteban Chaves of Orica BikeExchange... +1:02" 08. Alberto Contador of Tinkoff... +1:05" 09. Simon Yates of Orica BikeExchange... +1:09" 10. Fabio Felline of Trek - Segafredo... +1:11"
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Omar Fraile from today's breakaway of the day and Alejandro Valverde round out the top five on today's stage.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
So Nairo Quintana provisionally puts 25 seconds into Chris Froome in the General Classification, growing to 31 seconds after the addition of the six bonus seconds Quintana also gained over Froome.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Riders continue to cross the finishing line on what has proved to be an entertaining stage. There will be some big changes in time in the General Classification by the conclusion of the stage.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Orica BikeExchange's Esteban Chaves crosses the line just head of Alberto Contador, who crosses the line 1'05" down on stage winner Nairo Quintana.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Robert Gesink opens up the sprint for second and beats Chris Froome to the line! The Dutchman will rob the Brit of two extra bonus seconds, Froome will have to settle for just the four bonus seconds on offer for third.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Movistar's Nairo Quintana takes the stage victory on Stage 10 of the 2016 Vuelta a Espana! He will move back into red tonight!
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Just 900 metres for Nairo Quintana and the Colombian looks assured to win the stage. Meanwhile, Froome has caught Robert Gesink and will be fighting to finish second behind Quintana.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Alejandro Valverde is unable to follow the tempo set by Froome and is dropped!
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Under 2000 metres to go for Nairo Quintana and the Colombian has a lead of about 30 seconds over Group Froome\Valverde.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Alberto Contador has been dropped now by Alejandro Valverde and Chris Froome now!
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
2.3 kilometres remaining and Nairo Quintana continues to attack the climb. The Colombian is challenging for the stage victory and currently leads the stage!
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Group Froome\Valverde have bridged across to Contador!
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Omar Fraile and Alberto Contador are trying to chase after Nairo Quintana with just 3 kilometres of the stage remaining. Robert Gesink still leads by approximately 10 seconds over Quintana, Contador is 28 seconds off Gesink, while Froome and Valverde and 33 seconds off Gesink.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Nairo Quintana has broken Alberto Contador now! The Colombian is just 24 seconds adrift of lone stage leader Robert Gesink from the earlier breakaway.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Nairo Quintana accelerates! Alberto Contador manages to match the Colombian's pace for now as the duo seek to dash Chris Froome's revival.