Vuelta 2014: Favourites stage 7 - Up to the puncheurs

Up and down and up and down and up and down again, that's the face of today's stage. Wanted: the type of rider who feels at his place in Amstel Gold Race and Liege-Bastogne-Liege. The finish line is at the end of a short climb. Sagan or Gilbert or...? (Slideshow route/profile)

The finale is a 6,6 kilometres climb at 3,3%, a terrain for men like Gilbert and Sagan. The Walloon took five stages in three appearances in Spain, whilst the Slovak was thrice victorious in a one time appearance. Until now he was a little bleak in Spain, but with the World Championships in Ponferrada around the corner Sagan should be up for recovery by now.

Other riders who will be eyeing up a stage win in Alcaudete are Liege-Bastognne-Liege specialist Daniel Martin along with old warriors Alejandro Valverde and Cadel Evans. Valverde was brilliant in yesterday's stage to Cumbres Verdes. Is he up for spectacle again?