The first seven stages include four mountain-top finishes as the 70th edition of the Vuelta a Espana looks to punish any riders taking to the start line below peak condition.

And of those four summit finishes, it is the fourth and final which could see early gaps appear on the general classification, on the twisted, rugged ascent to Capilleira.

On what is likely to be one of the hottest days of the race, given its southerly location, the 188.3km stage contains little to trouble the overall contenders until a big sting in the tail.

The road starts ramping up from the 170km mark, but it is the final, narrow, twisting, Alpujurran ascent which will be particularly intriguing.

If a team can get their tactics right, and deliver their man in a good position then there is a good opportunity to open up vital time gaps.

Or if Froome, Quintana and co have failed to shake the Tour from their legs it could be a rude awakening, and a big blow to their overall ambitions.