Although several teams tried to disrupt it the day was indeed one for a bunch sprint, unlike all others in this race, and it ended with a win for the man who came here to get some more racing in the legs, Peter Sagan was the fastest man in the finale taking his first sprint win since the 2019 Tour. He beat Daryl Impey and Juan Sebastian Molano to the line.
Positive: Sagan taking a very important win for him, also surely will boost his confidence for the coming classics.
Negative: Kanter closing down the gaps failed to sprint strongly, Venturini had an important opportunity but failed to capitalize on it too.
The Route
The final stage in Barcelona with the classic circuit in the Montjuic BUT, this year the news is the climb used in the hard final circuit isn't the same, but this time the ascent known for the Vuelta a España 2012 Purito attack. The stage is an explosive 132.5 kilometers long and the final 46.5Km are in the final circuit.
6 laps of a 7.5Km circuit that is a roller-coaster with the ascent of the Montjuic, detailed below, followed by a fast descent, the little lump up besides the Olympic stadium, then followed by a slightly technical descent back into the finishing line, with a flat final hundred meters but it's the only section of the circuit like that.
The climb to Montjuic is harder than what you have seen in the past few years, it's harder! 500 meters at 13% is enough to make big attacks let me tell you that, and this climb will be ridden 6 times in quick succession in a complicated circuit. It's a stage that can indeed make differences and is actually quite suited for a raid. Although attacks have usually came in the last few years, this year the GC is only safe when the leader goes through the line, every lap can turn the race on it's head.
The Weather
A breeze from the southeast, shouldn't have much impact to be quite honest, only in the early parts of the stage, the tailwind should help a nice breakaway get formed perhaps.
The Favourites
It will be a very good stage. The slight - but oh so important - change in the climb used will make things quite different. The whole circuit is the same except for that small section, which is much harder and it's actually possible to create gaps there. This means attacks will come, question is how Ineos will be attacked, I don't think anyone will even try to turn Ineos on their head because they haven't in Port Ainé or Montserrat, but tomorrow being explosive opens possibility for some sharp attacks and alliances, however Adam Yates will love the climbs and surely will be able to keep everything under control.
The GC contenders may battle for the stage win though, riders like Michael Woods and Alejandro Valverde at their best are brilliant riders for a climb like this, Valverde is someone who probably knows every meter of the circuit and can also do very well in the small chance of a sprint. In the GC candidates Adam Yates naturally will be suited for these sharp climbs, Geraint Thomas aswell is not bad at all and looks in great form, plus carries a good sprint. Esteban Chaves, Simon Yates and Hugh Carthy surely will also be looking to attack the race as in a good day they can cause damage. In the event of a not so hard race, João Almeida could take the opportunity with the strong sprint he's got.
The breakaway scenario is the most likely though, the final circuit is all about climbing and descending there aren't flat roads in it where you can put on an organized chase, almost every year breakaways succeed, no reason why the same wouldn't happen this year:
Movistar - Verona
Jumbo - Tolhoek
Deceuninck - Knox, Devenyns
UAE - Hirschi
DSM - Arensman
Bora - Kamna, Schelling
Astana - LL.Sanchez
Trek - Brambilla
EF - Uran, Guerreiro, Valgren
Bahrain - Poels
AG2R - Champoussin
Lotto - De Gendt
Cofidis - Edet
Qhubeka - Power
Israel - Impey, D.Martin
Some of the names that I believe will want to be in the breakaway and will be fighting for the win, lot of quality, freedom and favourable conditions.
Prediction Time
⭐ Hirschi, Arensman, Schelling, Poels, Valverde, A.Yates, Thomas
Rigoberto Uran for me will take the win tomorrow, riding in the breakaway before dropping everyone else in it for a classy solo win.
Make sure to let me in on your opinion, and of course follow me on twitter for the latest updates!