4) TUESDAY 25 AUGUST: Estepona - Vejer de la Frontera
04 Distance: 203km Category: Flat Highest point: 190m Although essentially a flat stage, the sprinters’ teams won’t be keen on chasing down any breaks due to the two climbs on the finishing circuit in Vejer de la Frontera. Running steeply up to the old town, the two ascents will, however, prove tempting for any puncheurs using the Vuelta as a build-up for the World Championships in Richmond. The 1,500m run up to the finish rises through the narrow streets of this classic Andalucian the stage, which runs near the sea, but remains in the open countryside of the latter half. The finale is in the impressively imposing walled town of Alcalá de Guadáira, which is hosting its first finish. The sprinters should provide an equally impressive flourish. pueblo blanco that looks across the Straits of Gibraltar. With bonus seconds available to the first three finishers, the overall favourites will also be tempted to the fore with the aim of striking an early psychological blow on their GC ...