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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Eddy Merckx: Why 'the cannibal' is the greatest cyclist of all time
The Belgian rider won 11 Grand Tours, 19 Monuments and three elite world road titles in his 18-year pro career between 1965-1978 -
'Remco slowly killed me' - Wout van Aert left questioning his sprint after Evenepoel beats him to win De Brabantse Pijl
'I had hoped to beat him in the sprint, but apparently I don't have a sprint anymore' says Visma-Lease a Bike rider -
As it happened: Brabantse Pijl Men decided by two-up sprint between Evenepoel and Van Aert
Don't miss the racing action as the elite men's peloton tackles 162.6km from Beersel to Overijse -
De Brabantse Pijl: Remco Evenepoel pulls knock-out punch in sprint win over Wout van Aert
António Morgado best of the chasing bunch in Overijse
