Stage 5 of the Vuelta a Esoana is relatively flat. After the start the riders are taken along the coastline for a number of kilometres before they move inland in the direction of Lugo. In the second half of the stage a third category climb awaits the riders. Afterwards the profile is flat. Four kilometres from the finish the road goes slightly uphill though, which might make some of the sprinters a bit nervous. Or will the victory go to an escapee again? Let’s ask

Lotto Soudal's Gert Dockx gives his preview.

“This is the second time I’m at the Vuelta and it’s my fifth Grand Tour. I already rode the Giro three times. It are both beautiful races, but at the Giro it often rains or snows which isn’t the case here. Of course it can be very hot in Spain, but this year we are not going to the South which does make a huge difference. I can cope pretty well with the heat, of course it has an influence, but it doesn’t bother me too much. The area we are now racing in is very beautiful. After the finish yesterday, on the way to the bus, I did take a look at the marvellous sights.

“Now it’s back to business. Today’s finale looks quite flat, but you never know in Spain. If a group of about eight riders gets away it might be interesting to join the break. The past two days the winner was one of the escapees, so that will motivate the riders. On the other hand, if the teams that have a sprinter want to win a stage in the Vuelta this is a big opportunity. If it comes down to a sprint I will work for Tosh Van der Sande, by controlling the gap and getting him in the right position in the final kilometres.”