It’s set up to be a massive day in the mountains on Stage 14 of the Vuelta a Espana with plenty of potential general classification ramifications on the 196.1 kilometre trek from Urdax-Dantxarinea to Aubisque-Gourette. Join The Roar for live coverage from 10pm (AEST).
The Vuelta is a brute of a grand tour, and the last week that we kick-off tonight is absolutely no different.
Four climbs greet the riders on a long day as it is, with three being Category 1 and the final being an ‘outside categorisation’ climb.
All in all, the peloton will spend 61.2 of the 196.1 kilometres going uphill, and as always in Spain there are some very tough gradients to deal with. Interestingly enough though, these climbs are more consistent than what we have seen so far during the race.
The first 50 kilometres are actually flat on the day, and with the amount of climbing to come you can expect a breakaway to form with a lot of passengers from the contenders teams, and the peloton riding at a snails pace.
The first climb of the day, the Col Inharpu is more of a warm up before the 24-kilometre climb of Col du Soudet is summited with 85km to go.
Following a long descent and some valley roads, the final procession of climbs will begin. Neither are easy, with the Col de Marie-Blanque coming in with the numbers of 9.2 kilometres at 7.5 per cent and being summited just 39 kilometres from the line.
Another descent follows before the final climb to Abisque – outside categorisation and 16.5 kilometres at 7.1 per cent. While it is fairly consistent, it does start relatively slow.
There are ramps of over 12 per cent, while the final four kilometres average out at closer to 8.5, meaning attacks are likely to come late and it may not be a big day for time gains – unless a rider goes early on the climb or indeed on the Marie-Blanque.
Prediction
Nairo Quintana (Movistar) and Chris Froome (Sky) have, over the first 13 days established themselves as the two best climbers but this is going to be a real test of the team support and legs of the leader at the back end of what is expected to be another long, hot day in the saddle.
The climb to the finish line at Abisque is going to suit Froome, but attacks will come and I expect Esteban Chavez and Alberto Contador to be among the big movers on the day.
However, the stage win has breakaway written all over it.
Back in the pack, there probably won’t be big changes in general classification unless one of the contenders blow up. Quintana to hold red, finishing on the tail of Froome with Contador and Chavez there and about, one of them potentially ahead.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of Stage 14 from 10pm (AEST) and don’t forget to get involved by dropping a comment below.
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Scott Pryde
Expert
That's going to wrap up The Roar's live coverage of Stage 14. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. Be sure to join Brendon Vella this evening for Stage 15, and keep an eye out for all the live sport you could want across the site. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Still waiting on the GC folks, but here is the top 5 and that's going to have to do us for the evening. General Classification 1. Nairo Quintana (Movistar) + 58:41:40 2. Chris Froome (Sky) + 0:54 3. Esteban Chavez (Orica-Bikeexchange) + 2:01 4. Simon Yates (Orica-Bikeexchange) + 2:17 5. Leopold Konig (Sky) + 2:38
Scott Pryde
Expert
Top 10 1. Robert Gesink (Lotto-Jumbo) @ 5:43:23 2. Kenny Elissonde (FDJ) + 0:07 3. Egor Silin (Katusha) + 0:09 4. George Bennett (Lotto-Jumbo) + 0:31 5. Simon Yates (Orica Bikeexchange) + 0:39 6. Haimar Zubeldia (Trek) + 0:49 7. Jan Bakelants (Ag2r) + 1:11 8. Andrew Talansky (Cannondale) + 1:14 9. Esteban Chavez (Orica) + 1:14 10. Leopold Konig (Sky) + 1:16
Scott Pryde
Expert
Not sure where Valverde was either, but he has lost a huge chunk of time. Results to come in a moment. Thoughts Roarers?
Ned
Guest
What a duel. Froome needs to crack Quintana but not today!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Contador has lost about 15 or so seconds there as he comes over the line.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Froome and Quintana catching plenty of riders as we head towards the finish line. Quintana with another attack inside the final kilometre and he might pick up a second, but nothing more in the final sprint and throw for the line.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Simon Yates has stopped the clock at 39 seconds.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Ellisonde has come from nowhere. He has to settle back into the second wheel and then loses touch back to last. Gesink gets to the front and opens the sprint, and no one is going to catch him as he opens the gap through the last couple of hundred metres! Robert Gesink wins Stage 14 Elisonde leads Silin over the line.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Contador almost half a minute down on the contenders.
Scott Pryde
Expert
The pace has gone right out for the men in front, and they just need to be a fraction careful because Yates is still tracking them down.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yates coming up to the back wheel of Bernard here, and he can't be anymore than 200 metres behind the race leaders now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Froome and Quintana marking each other big time here as Elisonde and Gesink are joined by Silin with 1km to go.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Quintana goes again but won't crack Froome who is glued into his wheel. Time starting to run out here.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yates is about to make the catch to Bakelants, with Elisonde and Gesink out in front now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Quintana now goes yet again! He is up, down, up, down and Froome is responding fantastically as he gets back into the wheel and they catch Sanchez.
Scott Pryde
Expert
And Contador has cracked! Quintana has caught Froome and they are joined by Moreno.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Quintana decides he doesn't want any of that and drives across the gap, shutting it down and then looking to go one with it, holding a small gap to Froome and Contador.
Scott Pryde
Expert
And here comes Contador! He has left Quintana and Froome behind here.
Scott Pryde
Expert
2.5km to go now for the leaders.