Cartagena > Caravaca de la Cruz 185km

Another stage that looks great for the breakaway. The final climb isn’t hard enough for the GC riders to make significant gains, so there’s no real point in wasting the energy of domestiques. The breakaway riders will know this, the fight to make the move will likely go on for quite a while.

Weather

A bit rainy in the morning, but it should clear by the time the race starts.

Finale

One of the most irregular climbs I’ve seen for a long time. One second, it’s up at 10%, then it’s going downhill, straight into another double-digit section, there’s no time for the riders to settle into a rhythm. The road looks white, common in this part of the world, at times it’s reminiscent of Strade Bianche, but there’s no gravel. I would say the climb is harder than it looks. Inside the final 4km, there’s 1km at over 10% and the final kilometre averages 8%.