PREVIEW | Vuelta a Espana 2024 stage 8 - Ben O'Connor's first real red jersey test at La Vuelta

Stage 8 is the third consecutive hilly day at the Vuelta a España. In Andaluzia, the riders find a few hills in the day and a tricky explosive summit finish in Cazorla. Ben O'Connor will have his first real test when it comes to the overall classification on this difficult day.

Stage 8 sees the riders go inland deep into Andaluzia for another day in the isolated and vast hills. So, not one for everyone... A land where the weather usually hits hard, but surprisingly it won't be as hilly as is usual. The first half of the stage in fact is mostly flat, and only in the second will there be some climbing.

7.3 kilometers at 5.6% will be the first climb of the day, with 54 kilometers to go. A gradual descent and then an uphill run-up to the final climb. This will be a difficult one, featuring a few uphill sections. There is a technical downhill section right into the base of the final climb where there is a very steep ramp up to 17% which means a tremendous battle over several kilometers of hilly terrain. This will make for a very hard pace already into the climb.

4.9 kilometers at 7.1%, but if there isn't an all-out attack right in the base then only expect moves in the final third. Leaving the city center the road gets more technical and steeper. The final kilometer averages 10% on a narrow mountain road, it is difficult and will be quite interesting.

The Weather

Around 33 degrees of maximum temperature in Cazorla. Not as extreme as most of this week but still very high, on exposed roads and with a few climbs. The heat will definitely continue to be the main challenge for the riders to handle.

The Favourites

Breakaway options? - Every stage start, regardless if only a bit or quite a lot, is hilly in this Vuelta. This is a day on paper for a breakaway, but it depends on the group that goes out ahead in front as both BORA and Lotto Dstny in my opinion would have reasons to try and control a modest group. We have rouleurs such as Victor Campenaerts, Oier Lazkano, Marco Frigo; and puncheurs with the specialty in the explosiveness and sprint such as Jhonatan Narváez and Corbin Strong who can fight for a result here.

But mostly, it will be those who can climb well that should be the main favourites to win from a breakaway on this day. Some, riders that have already lost time in the GC but have put on great performances such as Brandon McNulty, Matthew Riccitello or Marc Soler. Others would also be in the fight potentially such as Mauri Vansevenant, Attila Valter, Giulio Ciccone, Dylan Teuns, Victor Lafay and Pelayo Sánchez.

GC Fight - This will be the most interesting point of the day. It is a different day to that of Pico Villuercas; less climbing in total, a more explosive final ascent, and a tough uphill final kilometer to the line. There is the opportunity for some gaps. BORA really pushed hard today on the main climb of the day and so it seems quite obvious that they'll push the pace and try to take time on the line. Possibly bonifications too, Primoz Roglic has the advantage on this climb and can take time, Lennert van Eetvelt is in the same situation but Lotto does not have the team to be working on this climb.

The rest, likely follow the wheel and then try to do as best as possible. AG2R have a strong team, they do not need to work, Ben O'Connor just has to try and follow the wheels as best as possible alongside Felix Gall. João Almeida, Enric Mas, Mikel Landa and Antonio Tiberi are all riders within the best that are not explosive and so will not be easy to win time on their rivals here. Mattias Skjelmose, Pavel Sivakov and David Gaudu are better suited. Sepp Kuss, Isaac Del Toro, Carlos Rodríguez and Richard Carapaz if he is on a good day are riders to consider.

Prediction 2024 Vuelta a España 2024 stage 8:

*** Primoz Roglic, Lennert van Eetvelt
** Marc Soler, Enric Mas, João Almeida
* Jhonatan Narváez, Marco Frigo, Oier Lazkano, Matthew Riccitello, Giulio Ciccone, Victor Lafay, Ben O'Connor, Mikel Landa, Pavel Sivakov, Sepp Kuss

Pick: Primoz Roglic