The Stage
A difficult stage that transitions the riders towards the coast ahead of the super finale on Saturday.
The Route
The riders start from Redes Natural Park in Asturias and then ride towards the base of the Alto de Colladona, a Category 1 climb that’s 7 kilometres long at 6.8%.
There’s a long flat run towards the second climb of the day, the Alto de Sto. Emiliano. It’s 6.8 km but at just 4.5% and backs up quickly into the much harder Alto de la Falla de Los Lobos. La Casilla, 4.3km but at 8.2% and perhaps worthy of second category status.
There’s a long run towards an uncategorised uphill drag where the day’s intermediate sprint is contested, at Pola de Siero; Then a good descent that takes us right into the last climb, which is the Alto de San Martín de Huerces. That ops out 1with 15.2 kilometres to go, and it’s downhill to the finish in Gijon from there.
The Finish
Blissfully uncomplicated! Without a roundabout in sight the riders steam into Gijon and turn right just after 3 kilometres to go. Things get a tad tighter here as they are turning for a good kilometre which should line them out before a sharp left-hand turn through to La Arena, and one final left hander before the finish. Also, there are no roundabouts!
The Rider
An all-rounder given the break has an excellent chance of going all the way and will probably contain plenty of decent sprinters.
The Contenders
The peloton are shattered and there’s a sprint finish on Sundayso one would assume the break will be going. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Mateo Trentin made the escape again and he could well be joined by Jose Rojas, just like on Stage 13. Trentin is fighting for the green jersey and would be hugely benefited by taking points here given that the Angilru could see Vincenzo Nibali and Chris Froome battling it out once again. Jose Lobato and Edward Theuns are the best of the other sprinters left in the race although Quick-Step have the option of Alpahilippe to insert in the escape.
Rui Costa has a sprint and would be good over the terrain, and one has to include his team-mate Matej Mohoric, who is another good card to play.
Pawel Poljanski has three top 5 finishes and a pair of back to back runners up spots so looks a good card for Bora to play. By now we know who’s strong enough and Tomasz Marckzynski and Alexey Lutsenko have both won stages although the former might be quicker than the latter.