The finale suits his abilities perfectly. Movistar could set the pace on the climb to the line and Alejandro Valverde – who is a master of timing – could keep his explosive sprint in check until the final metres.
Yes, there is an imminent danger… Peter Sagan is riding La Vuelta, too. As is Michal Kwiatkowski. Both riders are explosive and don’t shy away from a 5.1 kilometres climb at 3.3%.
The route of the 2nd stage is hilly but far from steep. Talking about gradients, the climb to Álora features the steepest stretches. The 1 kilometre climb, which is averaging 8%, is crested with 18.5 kilometres and with 92.5 kilometres (twice, as it is part of a circuit that’s ridden 1.5 times) to go.
Obviously, the race could come down to the breakaway, too. Stephen Cumming’s name springs to mind…
Favourites 2nd stage 2018 Vuelta a España
*** Alejandro Valverde, Michal Kwiatkowski, Peter Sagan, Daniel Martin
** Stephen Cummings, Thomas De Gendt, Valerio Conti, Fabio Felline, Alexis Gougeard
* Tiesj Benoot, Iván García Cortina, Lukas Pöstlberger, Tony Gallopin, Mark Padun
Vuelta a España 2018 stage 2: Route maps, height profiles, and more
Click on the images to zoom
Related articles Riders - Vuelta 20 Withdrawals - Vuelta 20 Favourites - Vuelta 20 GC Favourites - Vuelta 20 More articles Tour de Romandie 2024: Live report 2nd stage
Tour de Romandie 2024 Route stage 2: Fribourg – Les Marécottes
Tour de Romandie 2024: Riders
Tour de Romandie 2024 Route stage 3: Oron ITT
Tour de Romandie 2024 Route stage 4: Saillon - Leysin
Tour de Romandie 2024 Route stage 5: Vernier - Vernier
Giro 2024: The Route
Giro 2024: Riders
Giro 2024 Route stage 1: Turin - Turin
Giro 2024 Favourites stage 1: Hilly race for pink
Giro 2024 Route stage 2: San Fransesco al Campo - Oropa
Giro 2024 Favourites stage 2: The King of Oropa
Giro 2024 Route stage 3: Novara - Fossano
Giro 2024 Favourites stage 3: For fast finishers #1
Giro 2024 Route stage 4: Acqui Terme - Andora
Giro 2024 Favourites stage 4: Mini Milan-Sanremo
Giro 2024 Route stage 5: Genoa - Lucca
Giro 2024 Route stage 6: Viareggio - Rapolano Terme
Giro 2024 Route stage 8: Spoleto - Prati di Tivo
Giro 2024 Route stage 15: Manerba del Garda - Livigno
Giro 2024 Route stage 16: Livigno - Monte Pana
Giro 2024 Route stage 17: Selva di Val Gardena – Passo Brocon
Giro 2024 Route stage 19: Mortegliano - Sappada
Giro 2024 Route stage 20: Alpago – Bassano del Grappa
Cycling Calendar 2024
Liège–Bastogne–Liège Femmes 2024: Brown wins six-up sprint
Tour de France 2024: The Route
Tour de France 2024: Riders
Tour de France 2024 Route stage 1: Florence - Rimini
Vuelta 2024: The Route