With no big mountain-top finishes in the final week, the ninth and final summit finale of this year’s race could be the last chance for the out-and-out climbers to gain time on their rivals.

The punchy 184km stage contains seven climbs in all, which get harder as the day progresses, so there is likely to be some weary legs by the time whatever is left of the peloton reaches the ESP-classified Ermita del Alba.

Just shy of nine kilometres in length, the climb – which almost immediately follows the rapid descent of the category-one Alto de la Cobertoria – will be among the most fiercely-contested of the lot.

Expect the likes of Quintana to come to the fore, poker face on as usual, as what is likely to be an elite group of the overall contenders hits the lower slopes.

With the climb peaking at 1,180m above sea level, and with a rest day to follow, it could be the moment for someone to climb into the red jersey.