Vuelta 2014: Favourites stage 4 - Sagan and Degenkolb territory

John Degenkolb (image) loves stages like this. Unlike his team mate Marcel Kittel he is tailor made for finales containing small climbs. In 2012 he was a five time victor in La Vuelta.

Peter Sagan was a three time winner in 2011, his only appearance in La Vuelta as of yet. In last Tour de France he took the green jersey but no stage victory. The 24-year old will see a different scenario in Spain for himself, but was under the rader in the first stages.

Aussie-sprinter Michael Matthews is strongest when the finish is not too easy, proven by a brilliant victory in yesterday’s stage. In the recent Giro he won a hilly stage and wore the pink jersey for six days. Last season he debuted in a Grand Tour by winning two Vuelta stages.

Nacer Bouhanni took stage 2 and was suprisingly fast on the short closing climb in Arcos de la Frontera, so definitely a rider to be reckoned with.

Other sprinters aboard are Moreno Hofland, Jens Debusscherre, Andrea Guardini and Matteo Pelucchi. The tricky finale may be too tough to handle for them.

Favourites

John Degenkolb
Peter Sagan
Michael Matthews
Nacer Bouhanni

Outsiders
Moreno Hofland
Jens Debusscherre
Andrea Guardini
Matteo Pelucchi

Vuelta 2014 stage 4: Images and more

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Route stage 4

Profile stage 4

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Finish 4th stage (video)

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Start and finish at Google maps