Distance: 177.3km
Category: Flat
Highest point: 1,022m
Almost a week in and finally the sprinters get a stage without many obvious complications, although the heat in Extremadura can turn even the easiest of days into a horror show. The last time the Vuelta sped into Cáceres, German galloper Erik Zabel led the field home, which should give the sprinters a little more reason to be confident. The stage starts high up at almost a thousand metres, then drops steadily down to Plasencia, just before the halfway point, for a lumpy run-in, where any escapees are likely to be chased down. Cáceres, a relatively unspoiled medieval city that is a World Heritage site, is a stunning setting for the finish, with its imposing walls and towers dotted with storks' nests.
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'The best result we could have done' – No regrets for Tim Merlier and Soudal-QuickStep at Gent-Wevelgem despite criticism over chase
Sprinter struggles his way to second place after not wanting to start, adding to team's fourth at E3 and second at Omloop in Classics rebuild -
'She is insane' – Lorena Wiebes ticks off 100th victory with Gent-Wevelgem win
Dutch rider reaches big milestone earlier than expected with a signature stinging sprint -
'She is the strongest right now' - Elisa Balsamo second to Lorena Wiebes in Gent-Wevelgem
Lidl-Trek's efforts to break peloton into echelons fails as wind peters out -
'It could have been a stupid move' – Bold, brave effort pays off for Mads Pedersen in Gent-Wevelgem
'Don't expect me to do that all the time' - Pedersen acknowledges long-range attack could have failed
