It is ay six of the Vuelta, but today’s finish is close to the start of stage one. The profile is typically Spanish, not at all flat but with only one categorized climb. That climb lies at just over 45 kilometres of the finish. The climbing is not over because a similar climb follows after the descent. A few kilometres before the finish there is a short hill as well. Will we get to see a successful attack in the finale?

Jelle Wallays reflects on the stage and the Vuelta.

“It’s going great so far. I’m glad I am racing the first Grand Tour of my career, it is a new challenge. The main goal is to reach the finish in Madrid. I prepared for this race by training in the Ardennes and Vosges the past weeks. The most important tip I got from the other guys was to keep calm the first days. I did help Tosh Van der Sande though by making sure he got to the finish in a good position. We did our job well, but it hasn’t worked out yet.

“So far the victory went to a breakaway rider already twice this Vuelta. That’s also my aim, joining a breakaway and hopefully finish it off successfully. Today I expect a big and long battle to get in the break of the day. I think one of the escapees will win. The finale is again tough, the break will probably split at the end.”