Vuelta 2016 Favourites stage 5: Late attack or tough sprinters

Stage 5 in the Vuelta a España is marked by one categorised climb halfway, the rest of the race is mostly on flat to rolling terrain. Yet the finale comes with a short and harsh climb, which is perfect for a late attack. Otherwise it should be up to the fast men in Lugo. (Slideshow route/profile)

Via one 3rd category climb the riders reach the plains around arrival place Lugo. The last 70 kilometres are on flat to rolling roads, yet a short climb ushers in the finale with 3 kilometers left. So that’s a perfect spot to launch a late attack. Otherwise it will be up to the tougher guys among the fast men in Lugo.

The first bunch sprint in this year’s Vuelta was won by Gianni Meersman, ahead of Michael Schwarzmann and Magnus Cort Nielsen.

Ten year’s ago Vinokourov soloed to victory in Lugo after a late attack, while in last year’s Vuelta a diverse crowd of riders such as Danny van Poppel, Jasper Stuyven, Peter Sagan, Kristian Sbaragli and John Degenkolb celebrated sprint victories.

Favourites 5th stage Vuelta a España

*** Fabio Felline, Simon Gerrans, Michal Kwiatkowski, Niki Terpstra
** Philippe Gilbert, Zdenek Stybar, Nikias Arndt
* Gianni Meersman, Rein Taaramäe, Jos van Emden, Magnus Cort Nielsen, Kristian Sbaragli