Favorites stage 17 Vuelta a Espana 2024 | All pressure on Alpecin-Deceuninck
Cycling
The third Vuelta week began Tuesday exactly like the second ended: grueling. So, on the Lagos de Covadonga, the better climbers got to show themselves again, but on Wednesday, it will probably be to the men of the flats for a final category. Heading towards Santander, a transition stage is scheduled, and IDLProCycling.com will try to tell you all about it.
Route stage 17 Vuelta a España 2024
The riders will start Wednesday at the Monument of Juan del Castillo, a Spanish architect. A tricky hill immediately follows from the start, potentially proving crucial at the end. On this 1.4-kilometer climb at an 8.3 percent average, some punchers will take the lead, which will only be seen again in Santander.
After this hill, thirty mostly flat kilometers follow, after which the two categorized hills of the day come into sight. The Alto de la Estranguada (5.5 km at 8.7%) and immediately after the Alto del Caracol (7.2 km at 6.2%) can be labeled as big climbs, although everything depends on how they are climbed.
At the top of this second climb, we are exactly halfway through the race, and there are still seventy kilometers to go until Santander, which will be mostly downhill. Sprinters' teams may still be able to take control of the race here and take over.
The last kilometer in Santander is slightly hilly, as we follow the coastline. Positioning will be important in the final phase of the stage, as it is somewhat winding. Even in the last thousand meters, it goes slightly from left to right and back.
Climbs
54.8 km: Alto de la Estranguada (5.5 km at 8.7%)
70.4 km: Alto del Caracol (7.2 km at 6.2%)
Timetable
Start: 2:10 p.m.
Finish: 5:22 p.m.
Weather stage 17 Vuelta a España 2024
Also, on Wednesday, there is some chance of rain, while the temperatures, at 19 degrees Celsius, are not great in Santander. The wind will come from the west, so there will also be a headwind for much of the stage.
Favorites stage 17 Vuelta a España 2024
The organization of the Vuelta a Espana is not making it easy for us, but neither do the riders. This stage could go either way on paper, but in practice, this looks like a last chance for the fast men present. The fast guys can survive a hill because, with the two climbs in the middle of the stage, that's still no easy feat.
Then, one's first thought would be the chameleon of this Vuelta, Wout van Aert. Unfortunately, the Belgian of Visma | Lease a Bike went down on Tuesday, leaving us to set our sights on Kaden Groves of Alpecin-Deceuninck. The Aussie in Belgian service has stayed in this Vuelta with an eye on this stage, but can he and his team take control? If so, other sprinters such as Pavel Bittner (dsm-firmenich PostNL) and Arne Marit (Intermarché-Wanty) could also take advantage of that, although they may have to add a pawn.
Corbin Strong (Israel-Premier Tech), Mathias Vacek (Lidl-Trek), Pau Miquel (Equipo Kern Pharma), Carlos Canal (Movistar), and Filippo Baroncini of UAE-Team Emirates are guys who can also survive a climb and then arrive well. However, a ticket for the breakaway might be a better option if they want a chance at the stage win.
That way, guys like Jhonatan Narváez (INEOS Grenadiers), Stefan Küng, Quentin Pacher (Groupama-FDJ), and Victor Campenaerts (Lotto-Dstny) will also want to try. The latter counts as someone who can make a goal for a ride like this. Alpecin-Deceuninck could try to get a man like Quinten Hermans to join them.
For the pure climbers, it might be too difficult to bridge the second half of the stage, so for the rest, you end up with all-rounders like Mauro Schmid (Jayco AlUla), Kasper Asgreen (Soudal Quick-Step) and Marco Frigo (Israel-Premier Tech). If things do get seriously tough, we will again look to Marc Soler, Brandon McNEddie Dunbar (Jayco AlUla), Pablo Castrillo (Equipo Kern Pharma), Max Poole (dsm-firmenich PostNL) and Harold Tejada of Astana Qazaqstan Team.
Favorites stage 17 Vuelta a España 2024, according to IDLProCycling.com
Top favorites: Jhonatan Narváez (INEOS Grenadiers) and Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck)
Outsiders: Mathias Vacek (Lidl-Trek), Filippo Baroncini (UAE-Team Emirates), Mauro Schmid (Jayco AlUla) and Corbin Strong (Israel-Premier Tech)
Long shots: Stefan Küng, Quentin Pacher (Groupama-FDJ), Pau Miquel (Equipo Kern Pharma), Pavel Bittner (dsm-firmenich PostNL), Carlos Canal (Movistar), Victor Campenaerts (Lotto-Dstny), , Arne Marit (Intermarché-Wanty) and Quinten Hermans (Alpecin-Deceuninck)
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Latest Comments
- Well explained, thanks for the clarity! Daniel DantasDanieldantas20-12-2024
- This is the kind of 'news' that belongs in a cheap tabloid. No matter how boring the offseason gets, nobody wants to read this.
santiagobenites19-12-2024 - I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024