It may seem odd to describe a stage that descends most of the way to a shark-toothed finishing circuit as being hard for the sprinters, but Spain rarely offers anything that’s completely straightforward for the bunch finishers.
Many riders will know the finale from the Vuelta a Murcia, where the Cresta del Gallo’s appearance is almost de rigueur. Extending to 5.5km at an average of 6.8 per cent, it could be a launchpad for attacking climbers. But the 12 flat kilometres to the finish provide hope to those in pursuit. Norway’s Thor Hushovd won in Murcia in 2010 but that stage only crossed the Cresta del Gallo once. An intriguing contest is in store for us.
-
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
