Vuelta a Espana Stage 13 takes place on Friday and will be the calm before the storm. Stages 14 and 15 feature mountain-top finishes and will be key in the GC fight. Stage 13 offers the sprinters a chance to get a win.
Vuelta a Espana Stage 13 – The Profile
Stage 13 is the longest of the 2016 Vuelta at 213kms. The stage starts in Bilbao and ends in Urdax Dantxarinea.
The profile shows that the terrain is up and down once more. However, it is not as severe as many of the other stages in the race.
There are a number of unclassified climbs and 4 x category 3 climbs. There is scope for the break to go in the first 30-40kms, especially on the first unclassified climb at 35kms.
The category 3 climbs start at the 90kms point with the Alto Monte Igueldo (5.3kms at 6.2%). A duo of climbs come back to back between the 125-137km points. They are the Alto de Aritxuleg (6.2kms at 6.5%) and the Alto Aguiña (5kms at 6.2%). We will know by this point whether the breakaway has a chance to win the stage. If they are 7 minutes+ in front they have a good chance.
The final category 3 climb is the Pto. Lizaieta (7.2kms at 4.7%). This is peaked at 163kms some 50kms from the finish in Urdax Dantxarinea. The big question is can the peloton chase down the break in this section.
For once the GC battle should be calm as the bigger stages await at the weekend.
An Upset in Urdax Dantxarinea?
There are very few stages in the 2016 Vuelta that fit the profile for a bunch sprint. Stage 13 is one of that small group. The sprinters have been helping their GC contending team-mates in the mountainous stages. Stage 13 will be the opportunity for the sprinters to shine. I would hope they grab this chance with open arms. The four category 3 climbs and the distance may mean we see a depleted peloton at the line. The group should however contain the best sprinters Gianni Meersman and Fabio Felline.
Gianni Meersman (Etixx-QuickStep) won two sprint stages earlier in the 2016 Vuelta. He remains in contention for the sprinters jersey and a win here would boost his chances in this classification. Meersman has twice shown a great burst of speed in sprints and he will be backed heavily on stage 13. He can be backed as high as 17.0 which is a price I love!
Fabio Felline (Trek-Segafredo) featured in the finale on stage 12 losing out in the sprint for his second 3rd place finish in the 2016 race. His main sprint rival Meersman did not feature in the front group. The question about Felline on stage 13 is how much energy did he expend on Thursday? I can’t back him again because I think he will struggle on what is the longest stage in the race. He was the last man just hanging on during the ascent of the last climb on Thursday. His sprint, for him was ragged. Felline is priced between 10.0-15.0 so the EW works
Stage 12’s winner Jens Keukeleire (Orica) could well be in contention for back-to-back wins. He won the sprint finish into Bilbao with an impressive burst of speed. There was clear distance between him and the rest. From a depleted peloton he must have a strong chance of success once more at 16.0-25.0.
Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) was close to the stage win on Thursday finishing 5th in the sprint. Sanchez tried to escape on the final climb but couldn’t get a small group of riders to cooperate in the chase of the stage leader. He still showed impressive speed in the run in to the line and is a danger man on Friday. Sanchez is also a candidate to go in any break that might form. He has some EW value at 19.0.
Kristian Sbaragli (Dimension Data) has managed to stick with the front group better than I expected. He finished 4th on stage 12 showing he is still strong and can get over the types of climbs that will feature on Friday. You can back him as high as 34.0 and that is worth a small EW bet.
Jonas van Genechten (IAM Cycling) is another rider that I like for stage 13. He won stage 7 winning the bunch sprint against all of the riders named above. Amazingly, he can be backed as high as 81.0 for stage 13. I like this as an EW selection.
I’m not keen on the other sprinters so won’t review them here.
If the break survives then look at the riders I have tipped in earlier stages – including the KOTM challengers. I was very surprised that Canondale missed the break on stage 12. An interview with their Team Director aired during the stage but recorded prior to the start stated their riders would feature. On Friday they might try to make amends. I’ve not had much luck tipping them in this race so will leave their selection to you.
Look for points jersey leader Alejandro Valverde to be in the mix if the GC battle continues full-bore and a small group leads to the line.
Vuelta a Espana Stage 13 – Tips
Bet on Gianni Meersman to win stage 13 with a 1.0/10 stake EW (1/4 odds top 3) at 17.0 with Bet365.
Back Jonas van Genechten to win stage 13 with a 0.5/10 stake EW (1/4 odds top 3) at 81.0 with Bet365.
Bet on Kristian Sbaragli to win stage 13 with a 0.5/10 stake EW (1/4 odds top 3) at 34.0 with Bet365.
Back them here:
