Top Mañana: Vuelta a España – stage 17

Top Mañana: Vuelta a España – stage 17

A mixed bag of picks from our panel as usual. Mollema looks a good punt for stage 17, but does Moley agree?


Each stage, the Rouleur panel of ‘experts’ will give their picks for the following day’s race. 

David Hunter, AKA Cycling Mole, is a top tipster who spends far more time studying the odds than we do. In a daily battle of wits, Team Rouleur will give their predictions for the next day’s stage before Moley runs his scathing eye over them and comes up with his own. Who will win? 

Stage 17: Getxo to Balcón de Bizkaia, 157km

 

Hannah Troop

Ion Izagirre – Bahrain-Merida

Far enough down on GC that the main contenders will probably let him go, but he’ll also be motivated to secure his top ten place. He’ll have the added zing in the legs riding in front of his home crowds in the Basque Country.

Ian Cleverly

Eduard Prades – Euskadi-Murias

At the risk of sounding like a stuck record, I’m going back to my man Prades, who pulled off a fine fourth place on stage 7 for me. Since then, he’s been biding his time (hopefully) and will go big on this tough day in the hills.

Nick Christian

Bauke Mollema – Trek-Segafredo

Such an Alaphilippey stage it’s a shame he’s not here. Who’s the most Alaphilippey rider who is? It’s Valverde, obviously, but this one is surely going to the break, so my money is on Mollema to finally, finally, put one away.

Hugo Gladstone

Dylan Teuns – BMC

Oh, I dunno. The parcours looks like it lends itself to an escape but I can’t picture anyone but the GC contenders battling it out on that brute of a final climb. Such is the daily dilemma of the Vuelta. Screw it: Dylan Teuns appears determined to make something of his Vuelta from the breakaways and this is possibly his best remaining chance.

Andy McGrath

Igor Anton – Dimension Data

I’ve gone for a real long shot. Anton is in need of a contract for 2019, has a classy pedigree and the final climbs are right on the local lad’s doorstep. Unlikely, but stranger things have happened.

 

Cycling Mole

The dust has settled after the TT and Simon Yates has a firm grip of the red jersey, but expect to see a Colombian firework show! The stage ends with Alto del Balcón de Bizkaia, deep in the Basque Country. The climb is 7.3km at 9.7% and has a maximum gradient of 24%. This is going to be brutal. As usual, you have to decide if the break comes back or not – Mitchelton-Scott certainly won’t do any chasing.

Hannah – home roads or not, Izagirre doesn’t stand a chance. Must try harder!

Ian – safe to say that Ian has a soft spot for Prades, rumour has it he has a poster of him above his bed. Another rider on home roads and another who won’t win. 

Nick – we’ll certainly see Mollema try to make the morning move, he has his eyes are on the KOM jersey. Once there, his chances depend on the quality of the break, he’s already used a lot of energy in the last two weeks.

Hugo – the Belgian has certainly looked very strong during the second week. He can perform well on steep gradients and will have a good chance of taking the win from the break.

Andy – it seems that Andy has just woken from a coma and thinks it’s 2011.

My pick – despite crashing on Sunday, it seems that Kwiatkowski is still performing well. Now that he’s out of the GC picture, I expect to see him win from the break.

 

The post Top Mañana: Vuelta a España – stage 17 appeared first on The world's finest cycling magazine.


READ MORE

Mathieu van der Poel

Defending, not chasing yellow: Mathieu van der Poel returns to the Mûr-de-Bretagne

The Alpecin-Deceuninck rider is back in yellow but plays down ambitions for green  

Read more
Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogačar

‘I don’t know what they were trying to do’ - The UAE-Visma mind games have started at the Tour de France

Subtle tactical choices from both teams during stage six give an insight into the mindsets of Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard

Read more
Romance and science: How EF Education-EasyPost pulled off Tour de France perfection

Romance and science: How EF Education-EasyPost pulled off Tour de France perfection

The crazy plan behind Ben Healy’s stunning solo victory on stage six of the Tour de France

Read more
Tour de France peloton

Tour de France 2025 stage seven preview: The Mûr-de-Bretagne awaits

Riders will tackle two ascents of the steep slopes of the Mûr-de-Bretagne in a finish suited to the climbers and puncheurs

Read more
Mathieu van der Poel

Tour de France 2025 standings: the results after stage six

The latest results and standings from the Tour de France 2025

Read more
Kévin Vauquelin, the Norman conqueror, fighting his way onto the Tour de France podium

Kévin Vauquelin, the Norman conqueror, fighting his way onto the Tour de France podium

A storming time trial sees Arkéa-B&B Hotels rider defy the odds and remain in touching distance of the maillot jaune after five stages

Read more

READ RIDE REPEAT

JOIN ROULEUR TODAY

Get closer to the sport than ever before.

Enjoy a digital subscription to Rouleur for just £4 per month and get access to our award-winning magazines.

SUBSCRIBE