Vuelta a Andalucía Ruta Ciclista del Sol 2020 – Stage 2 preview
By David Hunter
Sevilla – Iznajar 200km
After the fun and excitement of the opening stage, this one should be a little easier for the peloton.
There’s nothing much to discuss about the majority of the stage, but it does have a rather interesting finish.
Finale
1.3km at 7.5%. This finish is one that gets steeper all the way to the line, with the final 200m rarely dropping below 10%.
Coming at the end of an easy day means we’ll have a full peloton fighting for control of the bunch as the road goes right once we get across the bridge. If you want to win the stage, you can’t afford to be wasting any energy moving up the bunch in the final kilometre.
The end to the stage is on the limit for the sprinters, especially the final 200m. Due to the demands of the week, most teams don’t actually contain a sprinter, and the ones who are here can all climb a bit. The teams of the puncheurs will try and make the final kilometre as hard as possible, hoping the fast men run out of legs at the last. We’ll see if they manage to do any damage.
Weather
Another quiet weather day for the peloton.
Contenders
Sonny Colbrelli – he’ll be confident about winning this one. The Italian loves a tough finish, remember he’s a two-time winner of Coppa Sabatini. Bahrain-McLaren have a very strong team and they should be able to control the final kilometre and guide Colbrelli into a perfect position. Colbrelli usually starts the season in good form, he normally picks up his first win in the month of February. Looking at the quality of his rivals, he has to start as the favourite.
Andrea Pasqualon – another Italian who likes a tough finish, but on this occasion I think it’s too hard for him.
Loïc Vliegen – I think the Belgian is the best option for Wanty. He’s always been one of those riders who hasn’t quite achieved his potential, but there were signs of progress in 2019. He’s now started 2020 in good form, with two top 10 finishes in Mallorca. The uphill sprint is very good for him, it allows him to use his power, which gives him a great power to weight ratio. He looked intent on testing out his legs today, getting in the initial break and then smashing out of the peloton on the lower slopes of the cat 1 climb. I’ll take that as a sign he was looking for a hit out ahead of this stage.
Julien Simon – now in the twilight of his career, he has to be considered in this type of finish. Riding for Direct-Energie, there is every chance he starts the climb too far down the bunch to take the win.
JJ Lobato – back in the day, he would have been the favourite for this stage, but a long time has passed since. His last win was the 2018 edition of Coppa Sabatini, the same race I’ve mentioned Colbrelli has won twice. As this previous form makes Colbrelli one of the favourites, I must give Lobato the same consideration. He’s started the season in okay form, which will give his team some hope heading into this stage. Make no mistake, winning this would be huge for the new Basque team.
Oli Naesen – the classics star has the power required to be challenging for the win. He crashed in Valencia, but that shouldn’t be hindering him in this race. You might not consider him to be a sprinter, but remember he was 2nd in Milano-Sanremo. With the opening weekend of the season fast approaching, a win here would be a massive confidence boost for him and his squad.
Matej Mohorič – another one of the puncheurs who would love a crack at this stage, but the problem is Colbrelli. As Mohorič is riding for the same team as the Italian, it’s unlikely he’ll have freedom to attack. Instead, I see him being used as the final man, but if Colbrelli shows any signs of cracking, Mohorič will continue on and hope to take the win. He has started the season in fast form, finishing 3rd in a flat sprint stage in Valencia.
Bryan Coquard – he’s only just returned after cracking his shoulder blade. With just two days racing in his legs, it’s very hard to see him challenging for the win given the tough finish, even though it suits him well.
Alex Edmondson – a rider who rarely gets the chance to chase personal glory. Normally used as a lead out man, the former Aussie champion has a fast sprint of his own. A former winner of the under 23 Tour of Flanders, he can also handle a hill. Mitchelton-Scott will ensure he is placed well for the final kilometre, then it’s over to his legs.
Prediction Time
Can a sprinter win? Will they simply run out of gas in the final 200m? Looking at the calibre of riders who are at his disposal, and the horsepower he has, I have to go with Sonny Colbrelli. The Italian will love this finish and I think he’ll make the puncheurs suffer.
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