Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2017 – Stage 2 Preview
By David Hunter
Alicante – Denia 180.6km
It was always going to be the problem with starting the race with a 38km TTT, we now have huge time gaps on GC. That is good news for some in the bunch, but it’s going to make chasing the early break tough on the sprinter teams.
The race begins with a series of category 3 climbs, ideal for the early break to establish a big advantage. Unless we have a threat on GC in the break, BMC will be happy to sit back and set an easy temp. Once heading into Denia, we have a lap circuit that contains Alto de Montgo.
It’s a climb that the pro bunch know well, most teams come here during winter training. Officially the climb is 4.4km at 3.8%, but the last 2km is over 6%. Not a difficult climb, but a perfect place to launch an attack. Once the climb has been done for the final time, the riders only have a 6km descent to the finishing line.
Finale
There are two roundabouts inside the final kilometre and a big left hand turn with 400m to go. If we get a sprint, being at the front for the final turn is incredibly important.
Sprinters
Wouter Wippert – he didn’t have the impact he hoped for in 2016 and the team didn’t have the confidence to give him his grand tour debut either. Only having a two year contract means that the Dutchman has a lot to prove in 2017, if he wants a new deal. He is usually good at the beginning of the year, but that’s after doing the Aussie criterium series. He arrives without much support in the sprints, it will be tough for him to win.
Magnus Cort Nielsen – the young Dane ended 2016 in wonderful style, with two wins in the Vuelta. Despite coming here with GC ambitions, Orica have brought a great looking sprint train to support their star man. Cort will be able to look towards Juul Jensen, Keukeleire, Albasini and Mezgec. That is a formidable looking train for a race of this stature.
Nacer Bouhanni – after another good season, Bouhanni hopes to continue to improve in 2017. He arrives with a decent looking sprint train: Lemoine, Simon, Soupe and Van Genechten. Given that Laporte is in Besseges, I think we’ll see Van Genechten take over as his final lead out man. This is a new role for him, but Bouhanni will expect him to hit the ground running.
Bryan Coquard – the small Frenchman continued to stack up the victories in 2016, but again missed out on winning a World Tour race. He comes here with a team dedicated to helping him and I have a huge amount of admiration for his final man, Adrien Petit. Coquard loves races like this.
Opportunists
This stage marks the only real opportunity for the puncheurs to take a stage. That final climb is begging to be attacked.
Greg Van Avermaet – could well move into the leader’s jersey after this stage. He’s looking to test his legs after winter surgery and this stage looks perfect for him.
Michal Kwiatkowski – a great TTT by Sky means that the Pole is in the hunt for the overall win. After a disappointing 2016, I have high hopes he’ll turn things around in 2017.
Philippe Gilbert – now back with Quick-Step, we shall see what Gilbert brings to the table. Hopefully we see him stretch his legs on the final climb.
Oliver Naesen – told me in my video preview that he would have a go at this stage. Oli ended 2016 as one of the strongest riders in the peloton, hopefully he starts 2017 in the same vain.
Weather
A cloudy day with a chance of rain throughout. Wind shouldn’t be a problem.
Prediction Time
The final 10km are going to be crazy. Can a team like Cofidis set a pace on the climb that stops anyone from attacking? Once over the top of the climb, a rider can survive with just a small time gap. After the success of BMC in the TTT, I’ll go with Greg Van Avermaet. I have no confidence in the sprinter teams holding this together.
*Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2017 – Overall Preview
David Hunter
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