Vuelta 2017 Favourites stage 2: Pan-flat sprint party

Chances are the 2nd stage of the Vuelta a España will come down to a bunch sprint. The pan-flat route runs partly on the coast of the Languedoc-Roussillon region in the South of France. (Slideshow route/profile)

Only flat roads in the 2nd stage of the Vuelta a España. We can rest assured a bunch of escapees will grab the opportunity to break and stay away as long as possible, but one may wonder if they will hold out until the finish line. The route takes in no hills at all, so chances are the race will come down to a sprint in arrival place Gruissan. It’s sprinter’s territory, located on the shores of Étang du Gruissan and close to the Mediterranean Sea.

Last year, Magnus Cort Nielsen and the now retired Gianni Meersman were the most successful sprinters in the Vuelta. Both powered to two victories.

In the Vuelta, John Degenkolb is by far the most successful contending fast finisher. He claimed ten victories, while he participated four times (2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015).

Favourites 2nd stage 2017 Vuelta

*** John Degenkolb, Sacha Modolo, Magnus Cort Nielsen
** Jonas Van Genechten, Juan José Lobato, Tom Van Asbroeck, Jens Debusschere
* Adam Blythe, Matteo Trentin, José Joaquin Rojas, Marco Haller, Michael Schwarzmann