"If you have the ambition to win the stage, you have to start three kilometres from the finish and go all-in" - Alejandro Valverde previews potential fireworks on stage 9 of La Vuelta

Alejandro Valverde knows what it takes to succeed at the Vuelta a Espana, having taken the overall victory in 2009 and a grand total of 12 stage wins at his home race. Now retired from road racing, Valverde has previewed what looks like being a potentially decisive day in this year's race.

“The climb surprised me. I thought he would be less difficult, but that's not true," analyses the Movistar Team legend after recently riding up the climb. "If you ignore the short descents and false flats, the climb increases by an average of at least nine percent.”

With the general classification still wide open, any time gaps on stage 9 could prove vital by the time the three weeks have been raced. In the opinion of Valverde, fireworks will come in the battle for the Red Jersey and time gaps will follow.

“It is a climb that can cause damage. If you have the ambition to win the stage, you have to start three kilometres from the finish and go all-in," is Valverde's assessment to AS. We wonder if any of the riders tackling the climb will take his advice.