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 of Valencia 2023: The Route
Tour of Valencia 2023: Favourites
Tour of Valencia 2023: Riders
Tour of Valencia 2023 Route stage 1: Orihuela - Altea
Tour of Valencia 2023 Route stage 2: Novelda - Alto de Pinos
Tour of Valencia 2023 Route stage 3: Betera - Segunto
Tour of Valencia 2023 Route stage 4: Burriana - Alto de la Cueva Santa
Tour of Valencia 2023 Route stage 5: Paterna – Valencia
UAE Tour 2023: The Route
UAE Tour 2023: Riders
Giro 2023: The Route
Giro 2023: Riders
Giro 2023 Route stage 1: Fossacesia - Ortona
Giro 2023 Route stage 2: Teramo - San Salvo
Giro 2023 Route stage 3: Vasto - Melfi
Giro 2023 Route stage 4: Venosa - Lago Laceno
Giro 2023 Route stage 7: Capua - Gran Sasso
Cycling Calendar 2023
Ruta del Sol 2023: The Route
Tour de France 2023: The Route
Tour de France 2023: Riders
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 1: Bilbao - Bilbao
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 2: Vitoria-Gasteiz - San Sebastián
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 3: Amorebieta-Etxano - Bayonne
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 6: Tarbes - Cauterets
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 9: Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat - Puy de Dôme
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 13: Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne - Grand Colombier
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 14: Annemasse - Morzine
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 15: Les Gets - Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc
Tour de France 2023 Route stage 20: Belfort - Le Markstein
Vuelta 2023: The Route