Vuelta 2014: Favourites stage 19

Vuelta 2014: Favourites stage 19 - Escape to victory

Tomorrow the all-important final mountain stage to the steep Puerto de Ancares, so the GC men will keep a low profile. Looks like the 180.5 kilometres stage to Cangas do Morrazo opens not only ample opportunity to escapees but to a brilliant downhiller like Valverde as well. The route is marked by two 2nd category climb and a descending finale. (Slideshow route/profile)

Ryder Hesjedal, Alessandro De Marchi and Winner Anacona are the only riders taking an early break to Victory this Vuelta. They both are in good form and have the confidence to do their magic again.

Furthermore we have the GC men. They are battling for every second and odds are on it will be no different in stage 19, making an early break a tricky business. Movistar is a likely team to control the race in favor of Valverde – contrary to Froome The Unbeaten is a spectacular descender. Yesterday the Brit took the Spaniard by suprise with attacking on the closing climb, don’t be surprised it will be the other way around today with Valverde attacking on the final descent and grabbing bonification seconds plus the stage win.