On paper, this has the look of a day for the break, however that is additionally the form of stage that might very simply spiral right into a full-blown normal classification day. It’s actually going to be tough for anyone crew to regulate affairs. The total contenders can be vigilant and a few may even be eyeing a chance.
With 2,900 metres of climbing unfold throughout the stage and its 4 climbs – two second-category and two third-category – there is definitely potential for crimson jersey contenders to launch assaults and achieve time.
Race chief Ben O’Connor (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) efficiently prevented any potential pitfalls on the hilly floor of stage 10 along with his crew controlling the tempo over the late first-category take a look at.
The Australian and his French squad can be hoping to do the identical once more right here with a purpose to preserve their wholesome 3:53 lead over second-placed Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) for an additional day.
Of course, the rest of the overall classification contenders lie even additional adrift, with simply Enric Mas (Movistar) and Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) the one different males mendacity inside 5 minutes of the lead. Could that provoke these riders additional again to hunt extra possibilities – wherever they’ll discover them – to make up time?
After two early lumps, the third-category Puerto San Xusto, coming after 42km, is one other hill that should not have an actual affect on the stage end result past serving to to put on down the legs of some.
At 81km and 118km into the day respectively, the 2 second-category ascents of the Puerto Aguasantas, are additionally unlikely to resolve the end result of the day or provoke main GC gaps. That could be saved for the ultimate hill of the day, the brief however steep third-category Puerto Cruixeiras (2.9km at 8.9%), which lies simply 8km from the end of the stage on the Campus Tecnológico Cortizo on the outskirts of A Coruña.
It could not seem like essentially the most harmful stage of the race, however there is definitely a sting within the tail right here, and the race’s high total contenders should stay on guard as they deal with the ultimate climb of stage 11.
Stage 11 climbs
- Puerto San Xusto (10.2km at 4.2%) cat 3, km 42.4
- Puerto Aguasantas (5.7km at 6.1%) cat 2, km 81.2
- Puerto Aguasantas (5.7km at 6.1%) cat 2, km 117.9
- Puerto Cruxeiras (2.9km at 8.9%) cat 3, km 158.5