Vuelta 2024 Favourites stage 17: Sprinters or attackers

foto: Cor VosThe riders face an elevation gain of 2,650 metres in stage 17 of La Vuelta. Most climbing is done in two mid-race ascents. The strongmen sprinters in the race should be able to survive these challenges, if not, it’s going to be a day for the breakaway specialists. (Slideshow route/profile)

Right from the start, a short climb offers a perfect launchpad for the day’s breakaway. If no one manages to get away there, it’ll likely happen on one of the two climbs just before the halfway mark. The stretch leading up to these climbs is pretty much flat, so it’s not going to be easy to make a difference there.

The Alto de la Estranguada is a tough one, with 5.5 kilometres at 8.7%, and the Alto del Caracol isn’t much kinder, with 7.2 kilometres at 6.2%. These are the only KOM challenges of the day, and the only proper challenges, for that matter. After descending the Caracol, the riders continue on flat to undulating terrain.

On paper, this could be a day for the sprinters – that is, your typical Vuelta sprinter, who doesn’t shy away from some elevation gain now and then. An option might be to get in the break early and hit the climbs with a bit of a lead. If the peloton catches them and they can hang on, great. If the peloton gives them free rein, even better.

Then again, we’re already in the third week of the Vuelta, and most legs – especially the sprinters’ – will probably feel a bit worn out by now. Moreover, Wout van Aert crashes out, which brings the teams with an interest to control the break down to only one: Team dsm-firmenich PostNL.

Favourites 17th stage 2024 Vuelta a España

*** Kaden Groves, Stefan Küng, Mathias Vacek, Victor Campenaerts
** Kasper Asgreen, Mathis Le Berre, Bruno Armirail, Corbin strong
* Alessandro de Marchi, Quentin Pacher, Pau Miquel, Casper Pedersen

Another interesting read: route 17th stage 2024 Vuelta.