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 France 2021: The Route
Tour de France 2021: Riders
Tour of Flanders 2021: Riders
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 1: Brest - Landerneau
Tour de France 2021 Favourites stage 1: Alaphilippe for first maillot jaune
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 2: Perros-Guirec - Mûr-de-Bretagne
Tour de France 2021 Favourites stage 2: Punchers at Mûr-de-Bretagne
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 3: Lorient - Pontivy
Tour de France 2021 Favourites stage 3: Fast finishers showdown #1
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 4: Redon - Fougères
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 5: Changé - Laval
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 6: Tours - Châteauroux
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 7: Vierzon - Le Creusot
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 8: Oyonnax - Le-Grand-Bornand
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 9: Cluses - Tignes
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 10: Albertville - Valence
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 11: Sorgues - Malaucène
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 12: Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux - Nîmes
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 13: Nîmes - Carcassonne
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 14: Carcassonne - Quillan
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 15: Céret - Andorra la Vella
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 16: Pas de la Case - Saint-Gaudens
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 17: Muret - Col du Portet
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 18: Pau - Luz-Ardiden
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 19: Mourenx - Libourne
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 20: Libourne - Saint-Emilion
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 21: Chatou - Paris
Cycling Calendar 2021
Volta a Catalunya 2021: The Route
Volta a Catalunya 2021: Riders
Giro 2021: Riders
Milan - San Remo 2021: Riders
Strade Bianche 2021: Riders
UAE Tour 2021: Riders