PREVIEW | Vuelta a Andalucia 2023 stage 2 - Brutally steep murito finale to be Pogacar's first defensive test

From the 15th to 19th of February 2023 the peloton will be in Spain for what is one of the most reputable early-season stage-races, the Vuelta a Andalucia. After taking the win on the opening day, Tadej Pogacar will already have to protect the leader's jersey on stage 2.

Stage two of the Andalusian race will be a day the riders won't quickly forget, one made for the pure puncheurs. It's a day that features two extremely steep climbs, the last combining with the finish. The riders will have 2.1 kilometers at 13.1% in the middle of climb that ends with just over 20 kilometers to go, and the finale in Alcalá La Real has 800 meters at 13%, narrow and with cobbles in the mix, it's a brutal burning effort all the way into the line.

Prediction Vuelta a Andalucia 2023 stage 2:

*** Tadej Pogacar
** Santiago Buitrago, Andreas Kron, Tao Geoghegan Hart
* Enric Mas, Mikel Landa, Carlos Rodríguez, Dylan Teuns, Jhonatan Narvaéz, Gonzalo Serrano

Pick: Tadej Pogacar