Vuelta 2014: Favourites stage 20

Vuelta 2014: Favourites stage 20 - Climber’s alert

In 185.7 kilometres the riders are to crest three mountains and then the finish is atop of an 'espécial' category climb in 12.8 kilometres at 8.% and steepest sections of 18%. Who is going to win? (Slideshow route/profile)

To make it even harder: all of the climbing is centered in the second half of the stage. To be precise – 40 kilometres of climbing in the final 82 kilometres.

That’s the territory lightweights like Alberto Contador (62kg) and Joaquim Rodríguez (57kg) are bound to excel. In fact Purito and Puerto de Ancaras are on a more than friendly basis. In the 2012 Vuelta the Catalan won after a fierce battle with his main rivals in this year’s race – Contador, Froome and Valverde.

It will be a GC battle at Puerto de Ancaras and odds are on Chris Froome will give it a try. In fact, his breakthrough as a Grand Tour was in the 2011 Vuelta when hen wo a stage at Pena Cabarga and finished second in the overall. Pena Cabarga is similar to Puerto de Ancares with steepest sections of 19%.

Alberto Contador is the one who can wait and see. But it goes without doubt the proud Spaniard defintely wants to win today’s stage, just like het did in the Queen Stage to La Farrapona.