The Paseo del Prado, Paseo de Recoletos, Calle de Alcalá and the Gran Via feature prominently on the city circuit before the race ends at the Plaza de Cibeles. Each lap is 5.8 kilometres long and as good as flat.
It’s a safe bet that we’ll see another bunch sprint in Madrid. The stage winner succeeds Sebastián Molano (2022), Pascal Ackermann (2020), Fabio Jakobsen (2019), Elia Viviani (2018), Matteo Trentin (2017), Magnus Cort (2016), John Degenkolb (2015, 2012), Michael Matthews (2013), Peter Sagan (2011), and Tyler Farrar (2010). Last year, Molano was somewhat of a surprise winner, as he was supposed to lead-out Ackermann. But the Colombian did such a good job that no one in the field was able to overhaul him, including his leader.
The first three riders on the line gain time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while the intermediate sprint comes with 3, 2 and 1 seconds.
Vuelta a España 2023 stage 21: profile, more
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