Vuelta 2016 Favourites stage 7: For sprinting and/or descending escapees

Obviously, the overall standings are important for how the race unfolds, yet in theory, stage 7 in the Vuelta a España and attackers seem to be a perfect fit. Who will get the chance to be in the early break, and who is able to make it? Without a doubt it will be busy to be in the break.

The stage is played out on an undulating course that’s leading up the Alto de Padornelo, at an elevation of 1,335 metres the highest point of the day. After cresting the riders have 18 kilometres left to race. As it’s mosty downhill with only the last kilometres flat, a strong descender could be in business here. On the other hand, sprinters who did survive the sheer endless series of hills underway and who are still aboard in arrival place Puebla de Sanabria are the men to beat, too.

Look out! The last 5oo metres to the line are not flat at all, so a sprint must be well-timed. And a lone escapee could meet his Waterloo on the final section with a gradient at around 5%.

Favourites 7th stage Vuelta a España

*** Fabio Felline, Philippe Gilbert
** Pierre Letour, Daniele Bennati, Simon Gerrans
* Niki Terpstra, Zdenek Stybar, Yuri Trofimov

Vuelta a España 2016 stage 7: Route maps, height profiles, etc

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