Vuelta stages that don't feature a categorised climb of any kind are rare things. Consequently, the sprinters will be doubly determined to make the most of this fleeting opportunity. The wind could complicate things for them, however. The road across the open plains to Albacete is wide open, although the prevailing wind from the south-east could well push the bunch along at an accelerated pace rather than splitting it apart.
The finish in the centre of Albacete is ideal for the sprinters. The last time the Vuelta raced into the city in 2003, defending champion Aitor González abandoned before the finish and the Spaniard's Fassa Bortolo team-mate Alessandro Petacchi beat Erik Zabel to the finish line in the bunch sprint.
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Silke Smulders – The rider that put home team Liv AlUla Jayco back in the Women's Tour Down Under GC game
‘The team really believe in Silke and now she's also believing in herself' says sports director Jess Allen of racee runner-up -
Feeling the heat but keeping their cool – EF Education-Oatly withstand onslaught to claim Women's Tour Down Under
Swiss GC winner Noemi Rüegg credits new Australian teammate Sarah Roy as crucial factor in defence of lead on brutal day of racing -
As it happened: Swiss champion wins Women's Tour Down Under as stage 3 ends in sprint
Don't miss all the action from the final stage in Stirling where the overall champion will be crowned -
Noemi Rüegg wins Women's Tour Down Under as Chloé Dygert sprints to stage 3 victory
Silke Smulders second and Rüegg third on stage
