The race organisation is clearly hoping for a repeat of last year's penultimate day cliff-hanger on the Angliru, where Chris Horner managed to fend of Vincenzo Nibali's last-ditch offensive. Today's climbs get progressively tougher, culminating in the Vuelta's first ascent of the stunning Ancares by its most difficult side, via Pan do Zarco.
Averaging 11 per cent for the first eight of the 12 kilometres, there are frequent ramps where featherweight climbers such as Nairo Quintana and Joaquim Rodríguez will be in their element. The grade eases towards the top before a tough final kilometre.
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Van der Poel and Philipsen fight back from illness and injury to bid for third Alpecin-Deceuninck Paris-Roubaix win
Pair have finished one-two at both previous editions of the Hell of the North -
Gallery: Tadej Pogačar's bike setup for his first ever Paris-Roubaix
Plus some bonus hacks from the UAE Team Emirates-XRG recon ride -
What Tadej Pogačar's final Paris-Roubaix recon reveals about possible team strategy
'I think he can win it,' UAE Team Emirates DS Fabio Baldato says after riders test tactics and tyres -
Lotte Kopecky: 'A pressure has fallen off' for Paris-Roubaix after Tour of Flanders win
World Champion is aiming to become the first woman to do the Flanders-Roubaix double on Saturday
