The 7th stage is a prototypical Vuelta race. The route is far from flat, which makes sense as Spain is, after Switzerland, the most mountainous country in Europe. Yet, the steep slopes are absent – or, let’s say, the organization keeps them up its sleeve until the second of third week of action. Still the finale is something to look forward to.
With 12.7 kilometres to go the riders are to crest a 4.5 kilometres climb at 5.4% before tackling a 1.7 kilometres hill at 7.8% with 6.8 kilometres out. The final 5.5 kilometres are a false flat, while the route amounts to 1,941 vertical metres.
Once could argue the route is too hard for pure sprinters. Yet, Elia Viviani won the 3rd stage – featuring some 2,500 vertical metres – ahead of Giacomo Nizzolo and Peter Sagan. Nacer Bouhanni powered to victory in the 6th stage ahead of Danny van Poppel and Elia Viviani.
Chances are BORA-hansgrohe will set the pace in the finale to drop fast men with the intention to increase the odds of a Peter Sagan sprint victory. Yet, Michal Kwiatkowski is also riding La Vuelta and the Pole is another fast finisher after a tough finale.
Or is the breakaway able to hold off the chasing peloton until the line?
Favourites 7th stage 2018 Vuelta a España
*** Peter Sagan, Michal Kwiatkowski, Matteo Trentin, Danny van Poppel
** Valerio Conti, Thomas De Gendt, Michael Albasini, Stephen Cummings
* Iván García Cortina, Nacer Bouhanni, Tosh Van der Sande, Elia Viviani
Vuelta a España 2018 stage 7: 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 Paris-Nice 2021: The Route
Paris-Nice 2021 Route stage 1: Saint-Cyr-l'École - Saint-Cyr-l'École
Paris-Nice 2021 Route stage 2: Oinville-sur-Montcient - Amilly
Paris-Nice 2021 Route stage 3: Gien - Gien
Paris-Nice 2021 Route stage 4: Chalon-sur-Saône - Chiroubles
Paris-Nice 2021 Route stage 5: Vienne - Bollène
Paris-Nice 2021 Route stage 6: Brignoles - Biot
Paris-Nice 2021 Route stage 7: Nice - Valdeblore La Colmiane
Paris-Nice 2021 Route stage 8: Nice - Nice
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 Route stage 2: Perros-Guirec - Mûr-de-Bretagne
Tour de France 2021 Route stage 3: Lorient - Pontivy
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