Vuelta 2017 Favourites stage 10: Attackers with climbing legs and descending skills

To win the 10th stage in Vuelta a España you have to be a good climber with a strong descent. The finish is approximately 30 kilometres after the summit of a long ascent. Once atop, the rest of the race in mostly downhill. Chance for attackers! (Slideshow route/profile)

The toughest task in the 10th stage of the Vuelta looms with around 40 kilometres left to race. A two-stage ascent leads to the top of the Collado Bermejo. The first part 5.7 kilometres at 5.8%, while the actual Bermejo-climb is 7.7 kilometres and averaging 6.6%.

The stage begins with a small climb and from kilometre 10 onwards the riders race a long and rolling descent to the foot of the Bermejo. That’s perfect terrain for attackers to power to a comfortable lead. Chances are that no team will feel the urge to thwart the break of the day. Sprinters are not going to survive on the Collado Bermejo, while GC guys have very little to gain given the flat finale. After cresting the Bermejo the finale is 21 kilometres downhill and 1 kilometre on the flat.

Favourites 10th stage 2017 Vuelta

*** Luis León Sánchez, Jan Polanc, Thomas De Gendt, Alessandro De Marchi, Romain Bardet, Matej Mohoric
** Alexey Lutsenko, Jarlinson Pantano, Serge Pauwels, Nelson Oliveira, Enric Mas
* Bert-Jan Lindeman, Marc Soler, Rein Taaramäe, Luis Ángel Maté, Rubén Fernández