2024 Vuelta Femenina Stage 8 Preview

 The big GC day wraps up a nice week of racing.

Stage 8 profile from procyclingstats.com


Will the break finally have their chance...once again, it seems unlikely. And, once again, I think SD Worx will do everything to bring things back together, or at least well within striking distance by the base of the final climb, which looks quite brutal on paper. Otherwise, with a big climb before the finale, it looks like a good day for the break, especially being the last stage of the race. However, given the length of the final climb, unless the break has a massive (5 minutes? 10 minutes?) on the bunch, it will be brought back by the GC riders once the racing starts.

Profile of the summit finish from procyclingstats.com

Contenders

DEMI VOLLERING -- Will surely be disappointed with second place on stage 6...this is the last chance to stamp her authority and make make amends for last year's race. Given the length of the climb, I think we'll see the same strategy as stage 5, excepting that SD Worx will utilize every rider on the roster they can to burn as many remaining GC riders as possible. Then, it will be all about putting in as much time on everyone before the climb flattens out in the last 2 km. 

ELISA LONGO BOURGHINI -- The only other rider within a minute of the lead, I'm not sure the finish really suits her. That being said, if the last climb isn't being ridden full gas (I think it will!) she can win in a sprint.

ÉVITA MUZIC -- Amazingly managed to outsprint Vollerning on the stage 6 summit finish, can lightning strike twice? As is the case with Longo Bourghini, if the final climb is not ridden at full gas (but I think it will be!), she also has a chance.

YARA KASTELIJN -- Now over four minutes down on GC, she's climbing well and could be given freedom. But, I don't think that will happen because the final climb should be ridden at...

RIEJANNE MARKUS -- Has consistently lost the least time to Vollering on the climbs, but also hasn't really featured at the front of affairs this week. I don't see that changing here.

Prediction

It's the hardest climbing stage of the Vuelta, so the strongest climber should win, and that's Demi Vollering...I think it will be by about a minute to Longo Bourghini and the rest of the GC riders. The rest of the podium should stay as is

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