The final day for the general classification contenders features five classified climbs, including a lung-busting 21-kilometre climb to the finish. Join The Roar for live coverage of Stage 20 of La Vuelta a Espana from 10:30pm (AEST).
Having completed a difficult, wind affected time trial yesterday, the riders will be hoping to get through today’s stage inside the inconsistently applied time limit, before heading to the finish of the race around the streets of Madrid tomorrow.
Before they get to Madrid though, they have a brutal 193-kilometre stage to complete, from Benidorm to the Alto de Aitana.
The first climb of the day greets the riders after 18 kilometres. It’s the category two climb of the Coll de Rates – 13 kilometres at only three per cent. The climbs statistics are quite deceiving though, as there is a short descent of around five kilometres included in the categorised part of the climb.
Next up is the eight-kilometre climb of the Alto de Vall de Ebo, which averages five per cent. It is completed at the 60 kilometres point on the day’s stage.
It is then a very short descent, before the riders face lumpy roads and then the Category 2 climb of the Alto de Tollos. At 5.9 per cent for four kilometres, it has the same average gradient to that of the final climb.
The riders then face a long descent of around 25 kilometres before the road starts to rise once again for the long drag up to the intermediate sprint point in the town of Alcoi.
It is then a short descent before the riders come to the early, uncategorised slopes which lead to the penultimate climb of the Puerto de Tudons. Another climb rated inside the five per cent mark, with the climbing being completed for 7.1 kilometres.
30 kilometres separate the summit of the Puerto de Tudons and the start of the final climb, with it all being downhill.
When they come through the 22 kilometres to go mark, they will start the final climb of this year Vuelta, the hors category climb of the Alto de Aitana. At 21 kilometres at 5.9 per cent, the climb is difficult, without being completely savage.
This type of climb will perfectly suit a rider like Froome and he is my favourite for today’s stage. However, can he take back the 81 seconds needed to overhaul race leader Nairo Quintana?
To see if Froome can take a dramatic victory on the final day of racing, join The Roar‘s live coverage from 10:30pm (AEST)
Jono
Guest
Contador had a pretty massive ride to get as close as he did to defending his position. Wasn't his biggest fan a few years ago, but I do hope he goes around for a bit longer.
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
What a stage!
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
Chaves has done it, as Contador finishes at 4:40. 10 seconds approximately the final gap.
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
Chaves come across at 3:17 behind the winner. Contador must be inside 4:30 to hold onto the podium.
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
Chaves inside the final 500 metres. Does he have third place?
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
Quintana and Froome side by side at 1 kilometres to go.
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
My goodness me what a win for Pierre Latour. Was dropped inside the final 500 metres after Atapuma attacked, but ride a big gear back onto the wheel, then bashes over the top of him to take the stage. Wonderful battle in the break today.
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
Atapuma has attacked over the top, Latour though is coming back!
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
Froome and Quintana have Chaves at 1 minute.
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
1 kilometres to go for the break.
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
Fabio Felline has caught Latour and Atapuma. Superb tempo ride.
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
Froome now has no teammates, as he ups the tempo.
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
Latour attack after attack, but can't break Atapuma.
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
Latour and Frank gets to Atapuma . Latour attacks Atapuma follows. Atapuma attacks over the top and Latour follows. Frank dropped now at 2 kilometres to go.
Jono
Guest
The battle during this tour between Froome and Quintana has been magnificent. Real credit to both riders.
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
Less than 3 kilometres to go for Atapuma, as he holds a 5 second lead on Frank and Latour.
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
Froome attacks again, Quintana once again follows.
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
Froome can't hold the wheel of teammate Lopez, who has returned from the break.
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
All little to late for Froome, as he attacks but Quintana sticks in the wheel.
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
Konig attacks, Contador follows nut is not able to stay in the wheel. Chaves close to securing a podium finish you would think.