The peloton will sort out a 179.5km medium mountains stage 18 from Vitoria-Gasteiz to Maestu-Parque Natural de Izki on the Vuelta a España that would provide a possibility for the final classification contenders to both achieve or pull again time within the GC standings.
Only 5 seconds separate the present chief Ben O’Connor (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), from runner-up Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe). Therefore, the mid-race ‘dash’ for time bonuses situated on the prime of the class 1 Puerto Herrera mixed with a brief however steep hill positioned at 5km to the end, might carry Roglič even nearer to the pink jersey.
O’Connor’s lead was decreased from 1:03 to 5 seconds on Lagos de Covadonga on stage 16 but it surely did not look like underneath menace on the rain-soaked stage 17 into Santander.
However, his rival crew’s directeur sportif Patxi Vila famous that Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe had taken a extra conservative strategy forward of the ultimate 4 days of racing, selecting a selecting the most effective locations to slowly shut the hole to O’Connor.
While Roglič and his crew have opted to comply with any threatening strikes reasonably than outright assault as they inch nearer to the pink jersey, stage 18 could possibly be the day when he strikes out for these useful 5 seconds earlier than the uphill end in Alto de Moncalvillo on stage 19, the final mountain stage 20 into Picón Blanco, and the stage 21 particular person time trial that closes out the Vuelta a España.
Stage 18 data
There are two categorized climbs on the agenda, with the class 2 Alto de Rivas de Tereso adopted by the class 1 Puerto Herrera. That second ascent comes with nearly 50km left to race, however there’s nonetheless loads of tough floor to cowl on the run-in.
The final kick with 5km or so remaining provides a attainable springboard for late attackers, even when the chances are on a decreased bunch dash.
Stage 18 begins and finishes within the Basque Country, however whereas a lot of the motion takes place simply south of the area, that is the type of terrain that wouldn’t look misplaced at Itzulia in April.
There is scarcely a metre of flat between Vitoria and Maeztu, and it appears seemingly {that a} severely decreased peloton, at finest, will make it to the end at Izki Natural Park.