Commentary of the stage
The Vuelta approaches the halfway mark in a city that almost never fails to be part of the great national race: Zaragoza. The capital of the Aragon region is an almost obligatory stop en route to the Pyrenees or, as on this occasion, after having overcome the principal mountain range of Spain.
The stage includes the 2nd category climb at Monrepós, although most of the cyclists will be far more alert during the final kilometres. Peaks? Not a single one. But the wind is also a frequent and traditional visitor to the Zaragoza stage. With it comes the much-feared fan formation riding on a day that should be resolved in a mass sprint finish, although surprises are always possible.
History: Zaragoza has hosted stage finishes no less than 47 times, which ranks it among the Top 5 cities habitually featured in the Vuelta. You don’t have to go too far back to remember the last finish in the city. It was in 2007, with a sprint finish won by Erik Zabel.
The stage includes the 2nd category climb at Monrepós, although most of the cyclists will be far more alert during the final kilometres. Peaks? Not a single one. But the wind is also a frequent and traditional visitor to the Zaragoza stage. With it comes the much-feared fan formation riding on a day that should be resolved in a mass sprint finish, although surprises are always possible.
History: Zaragoza has hosted stage finishes no less than 47 times, which ranks it among the Top 5 cities habitually featured in the Vuelta. You don’t have to go too far back to remember the last finish in the city. It was in 2007, with a sprint finish won by Erik Zabel.