PREVIEW | Vuelta a Espana 2023 stage 5 - Breakaway a threat on day that is mostly designed for the sprinters

Preview. Stage 5 of the Vuelta a Espana is on paper a day for the sprinters however with it's traditional rolling terrain, it will provide the opportunity for surprises and perhaps the first breakaway win of the race.

Stage five from Morella to Burriana is a tricky one. A day for the sprinters on paper however, as is classic at the Vuelta a Espana, it features the 'rompe-piernas' terrain which will throughout the day benefit attackers and make the pure fast men suffer in the small but repetitive climbs.

If a bunch sprint is to take place a breakaway can only be given a very small leadout throughout the entire day. The start is at 914 meters of altitude and then end at sea level, so there's a lot of descending terrain, but equally there are many small ascents where bringing back gaps is a tough task. The start has uphill ramps and the pan-flat roads only really come with 15 kilometers to go. It's a difficult one to control.

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However, assuming it does come back and a bunch sprint happens, it will be a very fast one. A few roundabouts in the town of Burriana, from 2.8km to 800 meters to go there is a flat straight, and then the finishing straight are those final 800 meters, pan-flat and straightforward with no obstacles, but right by the sea where the wind can make a difference.

The Weather

Strong southeastern wind. A headwind throughout most of the day, far from ideal conditions to the breakaway, however if they play their cards right they may have a chance. The final 40 kilometers will carry with it crosswinds, they can be strong and echelons are possible, the GC teams will need to be very wary of this possibility. This will all increase tension and possibility of crashes.

The Favourites

Kaden Groves - He has shown the speed today. Alpecin have gotten their win and are no longer under pressure. The Australian corresponded to expectations and took the win today, there is little reason for that not to be the case tomorrow. Alpecin do have to work, but the flat sprint will not hamper his chances of winning in any way.

Juan Sebastián Molano - However Groves will have competition. Juan Sebastián Molano was sharp today and I recon the flat sprint will suit him better. UAE have him in the race for a reason and so he'll be supported. The Colombian is having good form and he will be a rider to watch.

Many other sprinters will be present, and their teams will also surely be helping. Bryan Coquard and Marijn van den Berg have crashed today, they will be looking for vengeance and they do have a good chance to succeed on a hilly day where a some fast men will struggle. Add to that Alberto Dainese, Ivan García Cortina, Andrea Vendrame, Hugo Page, Milan Menten, Edward Theuns, Hugo Hofstetter, Dries van Gestel, Orluis Aular and Lewis Askey and we've got a very interesting day ahead.

However a breakaway is also possible to decide the outcome of the day. Rouleurs stand a chance here. Some will already have a designated role and will spend their energy protecting their GC riders or sprinters, however others may have a free card. Nico Denz, Romain Grégoire, Stefan Bissegger, Thomas de Gendt, Andreas Kron, Rune Herregodts and Javier Romo are among those I see with the biggest chances of succeeding if a breakaway does ride for the win.

Prediction Vuelta a Espana 2023 stage 5:

*** Kaden Groves, Juan Sebastián Molano
** Bryan Coquard, Marijn van den Berg, Alberto Dainese
* Edward Theuns, Orluis Aular, Ivan García Cortina, Andrea Vendrame, Milan Menten, Dries van Gestel, Orluis Aular, Nico Denz, Thomas de Gendt, Rune Herregodts

Pick: Juan Sebastián Molano