Alba > Limone Piemonte 161km Day 2 of the Vuelta and we head for the mountains. This finish was last used in a race all the way back in 2002 when Stefano Garzelli won a stage of the Giro d’Italia. The climb isn’t the hardest in the world, some are even suggesting that a certain Dane could be in the mix for the win, but we’ll have to see about that.

Leuven > Leuven 185km The final stage of the Renewi Tour sees the riders heading to Leuven for a lap circuit which will bring back memories of the world championships in 2021. The circuit isn’t the exact same, it doesn’t include the little cobbled climb (Saint whatever it was called), but it still features the other punchy efforts. Arnaud De Lie is in the race lead, but this is a very difficult stage for his Lotto team to control, it ain’t over till the fat lady sings.

Riemst > Bilzen-Hoeselt 199km Day 4 of the Renewi Tour is a punchy effort on the outskirts of Maastricht. Today’s stage has blown the GC apart, the organisers are hoping this stage encourages attacking racing, given the current GC position, I’m hoping to see some big punches thrown.

Torino-Reggia di Venaria > Novara 188km The 80th Vuelta a España kicks off in Turin, with what is expected to be a sprint stage. It’s a chance for the quick men to not only take a grand tour stage but also wear the red jersey. Pedersen wore pink at the Giro, he’d love to add red to his collection, and it’s also a great chance for Philipsen to add red to the yellow he got in Lille. 

Well then, the final grand tour of the season. It’s going to be another bumper 3 weeks, strap yourself in and enjoy the ride.

Aalter > Geraardsbergen 182km The GC starts in Geraardsbergen. This stage has been in the race since 2012 and its day that rarely disappoints. Flanders feels like a very long time ago, this is a little nod to what happened in the spring and is a great stage to watch on the TV.

Blankenberge > Ardooie 173km Another windy day, this time in the north-west of Belgium. It should be a big sprint, the finish in Ardooie is very well known to those in the peloton.

Terneuzen > Breskens (Sluis) 184km A windy day up in the Netherlands. There’s a chance of echelons throughout the whole day, but the more people talk about them, the less they happen. So shut your mouth and don’t talk even think about it.

The big news is that for the first time the race won’t have an individual time trial, good news if you find them boring like me. The organisers have tried to make things more entertaining, so they’ve added in a second punchy stage, hopefully it leads to aggressive racing.