This year’s Vuelta route contains three time trials: the team time trial which kickstarts proceedings in Jerez, an individual time trial on stage ten and then a shorter individual test which concludes the race in Santiago de Compostela.

Tony Martin (Omega Pharma-Quickstep) and Fabian Cancellara (Trek Factory Racing) are both starting the Vuelta to build form for the World Championships and both will be among the major contenders for stage ten.

Starting with the category-three ascent of the Alto de Moncayo, the remainder of the course is a steady decline, including a long, largely straight final run-in.

Of the GC men, the stage – if he can recapture his best form – is likely to suit Froome best while Uran was in sublime form at the Giro. Rodriguez is among the riders more likely to be aiming to reduce his losses.

Quintana, however, was in good form as he sealed Vuelta a Burgos success recently in what was his first race since winning the Giro d’Italia, finishing second against the clock on the final stage, and the Colombian will be keen to figure near the top of the standings once again.