Chris Froome powered to victory in the ITT of last year’s Vuelta. He put 29 seconds into Wilco Kelderman and almost 1 minute into Vincenzo Nibali and Ilnur Zakarin. That course was 8 kilometres longer and slightly more demanding. This year’s route totals 32 kilometres.
The riders roll down the ramp and climb 1 kilometre at 5%, which sets the tone on a route with three more uphills. The shortest climb is 1 kilometre and the longest almost 3 kilometres, while the gradients fluctuate between 3 and 5%. Far from perfect for those who like to push a big gear, but the likes of Dennis, Porte and Kelderman won’t mind. The final 10 kilometres are played out on the flat before finishing at the Oscar Freire Sports Centre in Torrelavega.
Rohan Dennis would be the most obvious winner. The Australian won all the long time trials he competed in this season. He pocketed the Australian Championship and took the ITT’s at the Abu Dhabi Tour, Tirreno-Adriatico and Giro d’Italia. Also, he won Málaga’s short ITT on La Vuelta’s first day. The only chrono he lost in 2018 was the 1st stage of the Giro, when Tom Dumoulin bested him on a short and hilly course.
Favourites 16th stage 2018 Vuelta a España
*** Rohan Dennis
** Wilco Kelderman, Victor Campenaerts, Nelson Oliveira
* Michal Kwiatkowski, Ion Izagirre, Jonathan Castroviejo, Richie Porte
Vuelta a España 2018 stage 16: Route maps, height profiles, and more
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