Vuelta 2017 Favourites stage 6: Attackers in hilly stage

Stage 6 in the Vuelta a España is a hilly stage of 204.4 kilometres. The route takes in five intermediate climbs, while the finish lies 36.4 kilometres after the last peak. The course favours escapees. (Slideshow route/profile)

The 6th stage travels from Villarreal to Sagunto and on the way the riders crest the Alto de Alcudia de Veo, Puerto de Eslida, Alto de Chirivilla, Puerto del Oronet and the Puerto del Garbi. That last one is a 9.3 kilometres climb with an average gradient of 5.2% and a steepest of 11%.

Atop the Garbi Pass there are 36.4 kilometres left to race. Following the descent, the final 20 kilometres are a false flat running downhill to the line near the Mediterranean coast. The last 3 kilometres are completely flat.

The route is tailor made for attackers. GC guys have nothing to gain on this route, while the course seems too tough for sprinters. That said, the Vuelta is not the most popular Grand Tour among fast finishers anyway.

Favourites 6th stage 2017 Vuelta

*** David de la Cruz, Thomas De Gendt, Luis León Sánchez, Jan Polanc, Alexis Gougeard
** Przemysław Niemiec, Bert-Jan Lindeman, Darwin Atapuma, Nelson Oliveira, Gianni Moscon
* Sam Oomen, Jetse Bol, Alexey Lutsenko, Giovanni Visconti, Koen Bouwman, Omar Fraile