Stage thirteen of La Vuelta starts in Bilbao and the profile proves once again that there is no flat stage in Spain this year. The top of the first climb, Alto Monte Igueldo, is located at kilometre 99 and shortly after the descent there is the intermediate sprint. Twenty kilometres later, the riders are already on the top of the next climb, shortly followed by the third climb of the day. At fifty kilometres from the finish there is the last categorized climb of the day called the Puerto Lizaieta, situated just over the border in France. In the finale, the riders are crossing the border several times but the finish is in the Spanish town Urdax-Dantxarinea. Even though the last categorized climb is at fifty kilometres to go, there are still some hills on the way to the finish.

Will the sprinters survive? Lotto-Soudal sprinter Tosh van der Sande gives his preview.

“I didn’t have a good day yesterday and when that happens in a Grand Tour there is no mercy. There was no specific reason for it, I just wasn’t feeling fine. I hope it is better today. It is not strange that you have a difficult day of course when you are in a three-week race. Especially here in Spain, where there are no easy or calm stages.

“Today’s stage is definitely an opportunity for me, which I marked before I came here. If we get a sprint or not, will depend on several factors: Will it be a high pace on the climbs, how large will the break be? I won’t try to get in the break, but my teammates will because it’s also a chance for escapees again. I am definitely hoping for a sprint, because there aren’t too many changes anymore. Apart from today, it could still be a sprint on Monday or Thursday and of course on the last stage with finish in Madrid. I don’t want to wait till next week though, I want to sprint already today!”