Vuelta 2018 Favourites stage 4: GC clash on first long climbs

The Vuelta a España's 4th stage offers a first and delicate taste of what's in store. The riders face a number of long uphills, while the last one climbs to the line. The ascents are not insanely steep though and tailor made for both young and old heroes to shine... (Slideshow route/profile)

Following a flat opening along the Costa del Sol the riders turn inland to approach a long and gradual climb. Following a fast drop down to the Bermejales reservoir another uphill leads to the plateau on which Granada sits. The Vuelta moves through the city in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada before heading to the 12.4 kilometres closing climb at 5.4%. That statistic is biased though as the climb in the Sierra de la Alfaguara features quite some double digit ramps. The ascent flattens out near the top.

Perfect course for attackers, although it is a likely scenario that they will be brought back before the last climb. Expect the likes of Valverde and Mas to come to the fore. If not, usual suspects to be in the break are De Gendt and Marczynski. The Pole won two stages in last year’s Vuelta.

Favourites 4th stage 2018 Vuelta a España

*** Alejandro Valverde, Richie Porte, Nairo Quintana, Enric Mas
** Simon Yates, Ion Izagirre, Rigoberto Uran, Wilco Kelderman, Michal Kwiatkowski
* Thomas De Gendt, Tomasz Marczynski, Omar Fraile, Damiano Caruso

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– route 4th stage