Vuelta a España: Stage 17 preview
Stage details and expert guide
Santander – Fuente Dé
Distance: 177km
Highest point: 1,088m
Category: Lumpy
Good day for breakaways
The second rest day will have been much needed after three summit finishes and this stage should provide a steady entry to the Vuelta’s final phase. Although Fuente Dé is the fourth summit finale in succession, it is far more straightforward than those that have preceded it and comes at the end of a much less intimidating stage. It heads into the Cantabrian mountains behind Santander and over two lower category climbs on the approach to the final ascent. Fuente Dé averages little more than 3 per cent, which should ensure that the overall contenders sit back and let breakaway riders fight over today’s honours between them.
Abraham Olano: "The climb is not that hard but it could result in some real damage being done. It’s new to the race and having looked it over I think that most riders will be in the big ring, so it suits the most powerful climbers. The views are really stunning."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
Gent-Wevelgem Men - LIVE
The men's peloton tackles 250.3km from Ypres to Wevelgem -
Volta a Catalunya stage 7 Live - Short and explosive stage brings racing to a close
Peloton tackle 88.2km final in Barcelona -
Visma-Lease a Bike can bounce back at the Classics, but will Matteo Jorgenson or Wout van Aert be the saviour?
'It's about staying calm and confident' says Head of Racing Grischa Niermann -
'Like the last day of a Grand Tour' - radically changed Volta a Catalunya mountain stage leaves peloton perplexed and disappointed
Volta a Catalunya now looks to Montjuïc to resolve GC struggle between Ayuso and Roglič