Vuelta 2021 Favourites stage 10: Attackers in downhill finale

fotobureau Cor VosThe predominantly flat route of La Vuelta's 10th stage is pepped up with a climb inside the last 14 kilometres. Odds are that the breakaway will fight for the stage honours.

The riders travel along the southern coast of Spain along the Mediterranean sea. After the intermediate sprint in Torre del Mar the route turns inland to enter the Puerto de Almáchar, which is a 10.9 kilometres climb at 4.9%. The first half is a false flat with a number of steep ramps, while the second half climbs at 8%. The summit is crested with 16.4 kilometres remaining.

A 13 kilometres descend takes the riders back to the coast for a finish in the streets of Rincón de la Victoria. The last 3 kilometres are played out on the flat.

The finale is too hard for sprinters and GC riders are likely to keep their powder dry. If so, the breakaway should be successful, so a huge battle to be in the mix is expected on the flat roads of the Costa de Almería in the first phase of the race.

Favourites 10th stage 2021 Vuelta a España

*** Michael Matthews, Matteo Trentin, Michael Storer, Andreas Kron
** Alex Aranburu, Omar Fraile, Lilian Calmejane, Jan Tratnik, Rein Taaramäe
* Wout Poels, Luis León Sánchez, Jetse Bol, Harm Vanhoucke, Kenny Elissonde

Another interesting read: route 10th stage of the 2021 Vuelta.