Vuelta 2015 Favourites stage 3: For strong sprinters

The first half of the race is marked by one 3rd category and one 1st caregory climbs, but the second half is the stuff sprinter's dreams are made of. So survive the first section and reap in the second half, that's the motto for all fast men in the peloton. Who are the major contenders for today's victory? (Slideshow route/profile)

John Degenkolb and Nacer Bouhanni are the fastest men and both should be able to survive the climbs in the first half. Besides, both will be eager to shine as their Tour de France was disappointing. Bouhanni crashes out early on, while Degenkolb didn’t win any stage.

And what about Peter Sagan? Winner of the points classification and even more glorious winner of the non-existent runner-up classification in France, will the Vuelta be his moment to really shine?

*** Nacer Bouhanni, John Degenkolb, Peter Sagan
** Luka Mezgec, Danny van Poppel, Caleb Ewan
* Jasper Stuyven, José Joaquin Rojas