Vuelta a Espana Stage 20 will be the decisive stage in the 2016 race. All of the jersey classifications are still up for grabs following 19 stages of exhilarating racing. With the race going down to the wire the race directors, TV companies and sponsors will be really happy.
Vuelta a Espana Stage 20 – The Profile
Stage 20 is back into the mountains for the riders remaining in the 2016 field.
The days racing begins in the popular tourist resort of Benidorm. It features a day of climbing ending 193kms late in Alto de Aitana/Air Force Squadron.
There are 5 categorised climbs for the riders to tackle on the stage. Three of the four category 2 climbs come in the first 80kms. They are the Coll de Rates (13kms at 3%, the Alto de Vall de Ebo (8kms at 5.4%) and the Alto de Tollos (4.1kms at 5.9%).
The terrain them remains lumpy before the final two climbs. The Pto. de Tudons (7.1kms at 5.3%) is peaked at 148kms. From this point the riders descend quickly to the base of the finale – the Alto de Aitana. Escuadrón del Aire. This is an incredible 21kms in length averaging 5.9% and is an off category climb with huge KOTM points.
It is possible that all three jerseys change shoulders after tomorrows stage!
The Multiple Battles to Alto de Aitana
One thing we can guarantee is that there will be a break on stage 20. It will be manned by the KOTM challengers – Kenny Elissonde will be looking to defend his lead over Omar Fraile. There may be deeper dangers from the likes of Gianluca Brambilla or even race leader Nairo Quintana. The final climb offers a massive number of points. If the break survive then a rider like Brambilla would like his chances of bagging the stage win and points. Elissonde will need to be very tired throughout the stage.
GC Battle
Chris Froomes ITTing skills have made stage 20 interesting. He closed his time gap on race leader Quintana from 3:37 to 1:21. This matches the time gap he found on Quintana in the TDF ITT. If not for Team Sky’s debacle earlier in the week Froome would be race leader. The big question now is can he find 1 minute 22 seconds on Quintana in stage 20?
It will be difficult even if Froome is riding with anger and is now at almost peak form. The Alto de Aitana climb is very much a Team Sky favourite – long and powerful. If they can treat it almost like an ITT then this might give Froome the chance he needs. Movistar know they simply need to mark Froome throughout the race. Quintana can sit on his back wheel, follow and parry any attacks. If Quintana is tired, he looked that way in stage 19, then Froome will attack until he gets a gap. A telling factor was the look on Quintana’s face as he crossed the finish line in the ITT. He looked stunned when he saw the clock.
There is a possibility that Sky send a rider or two into the break in Saturday. Movistar will have to match them. I actually like Froome to take some time on the finale on stage 20 but I’m not sure he can gain enough to move into red. Of course this season already we have seen a ‘miracle’ finale in the Giro from a rider completely without form. My hope is that the GC battle plays out from the slopes of the Pto. de Tudons and continues up the final climb.
It would surprise me to see the break win on stage 20. The 10 bonus seconds on the line may help Froome jump Quintana. Movistar might prefer the break surviving to eliminate the chance of the GC riders taking bonus seconds. I see a GC fight to the end of the stage and the break being pulled in. That would also make GREAT television.
NOTES
1 – Were Froome or Quintana to finish in the top 10 tomorrow and ahead of Alejandro Valverde then they would take the lead in the points jersey category.
2 – Movistar have closed the time gap on BMC in the team classification from 30 minutes+ down to 14:26. BMC’s chances may hinge on the extent of Samuel Sanchez injuries sustained in the ITT. They will be trying to maintain their lead and will also send riders in the break hoping it succeeds.
Vuelta a Espana Stage 20 – Tips
Bet on Chris Froome to win stage 20 with a 2.0/10 stake at 4.50 with Paddy Power.
Back Gianluca Brambilla to win stage 20 with a 1.0/10 stake EW (1/4 odds top 3) at 17.0 with Paddy Power.
Bet here:
Bet on Kenny Elissonde to win stage 20 with a 0.5/10 stake EW (1/4 odds top 3) at 34.0 with Ladbrokes.
Back him here:
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