Another leg-buster of a stage greets the riders before they can enjoy rest day number two. The 201 kilometres from Villacarrillo and to Granada will present two category three climbs and the final alto, the category 1 Alto de Monachil. Even though it is not a mountain-top finish day the GC guns will likely be firing as the complexity ranks high.
The legs will be weakened over the first two smaller climbs and the decent of the Monachil is tricky and dangerous. Alejandro Valverde lost the race lead in 2006 in this spot. The first kilometres down from Monachil comes "with a very long and dangerous slope" down to Granada, noted Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) to Cyclingnews.
More about race
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European Cyclocross Championships: Fem van Empel wins women's elite title in thrilling battle with Ceylin Alvarado
Van Empel out-sprints her compatriot in a dramatic final lap as Brand takes third for a Dutch 1-2-3 -
European Cyclocross Championships: Jente Michels defends under-23 men's title
Filippo Agostinacchio in second and Aubin Sparfel third as Haverdings mechanical denies him podium spot -
Wout van Aert to make Cyclocross season debut after December Visma-Lease a Bike training camp
Belgian recovered from season-ending injury, exact date of racing return unconfirmed -
European Cyclocross Championships: Célia Gery wins under-23 women's title
Marie Schreiber second for Luxembourg, Leonie Bentveld in third
