The fourth stage of the Vuelta a Espana sees the peloton travel to Spain, for more familiar roads. It’s a hilly day into Laguardia, just outside of Logroño, a warm-up for the weeks to come as it features a very rolling terrain and a profile that will lead to a very open stage where a lot can happen.
Late attacks can succeed, but a reduced bunch sprint with the GC riders is also expected. The first third of the stage is relatively flat, the last two features some small climbs, but nothing too hard.
CyclingUpToDate prediction:
**** Julian Alaphilippe
*** Ethan Hayter, Primoz Roglic
** Remco Evenepoel, Sergio Higuita, Richard Carapaz
* Simon Yates, João Almeida, Juan Ayuso, Wilco Kelderman
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The main and most important of the day will be the Puerto de Herrera. It summits with only 14.6 kilometers to go and features bonus seconds at the top which may be to the liking of some. It’s a tricky climb, 6.9Km at 5.1%, but the first half features several sections above 10%. It’s very inconsistent, with a few downhill and flat sections inbetween, but overall not a complicated ascent for those who are used to it – although it will limit those capable of fighting for a result.
The finale though has the potential to be more dangerous, it will be a sharp hilltop finish in the small town, with relatively narrow roads and steep gradients. The run-up to the ramp will be furious, so this won’t be a short effort, however in the climb to the line it averages 8% for almost a kilometer. One suited to the puncheurs, and the GC climbers will also have to grit their teeth not to loose time – or win, depending on the rider.
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