Event of the Day: 2018 Vuelta a España - Stage 11
Our event of the day is stage 11 of the Vuelta a España, which takes the riders from Mombuey to Ribiera Sacra. It is the longest stage of this year’s race at a distance of 208km. The stage looks like being a typical transition stage with three 3rd category climbs and a single 2nd category climb before the finish. It features a winding terrain that will be favourable for escapes to take place. it is likely that a small group of favourites will finish first in an exciting finish.
In yesterday's stage 10, Italy’s Elia Viviani beat fellow sprinter Slovakian Peter Sagan in an exciting conclusion to the day’s racing. British rider Simon Yates riding for the Australian team of Mitchelton-Scott finished in the peloton and remains in the race leader's red jersey. Close on Yates’s heels is local favourite Alejandro Valverde of the Movistar Team. They are separated by just one second on the General Classification. In fact, the top of the leader board is very close. The top ten are separated by less than one minute. Any one of the riders currently in the top ten has a great chance of overall victory. This may continue for a few more days before the race hits the big mountains on Friday. The three mountain stages through to Sunday’s big finish at the top of Lagos de Covadonga could shape the rest of this year’s race. The race is now at its mid-point. It looks like it could be an intriguing second half of the Vuelta.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the US Open, now in its tenth day. Today will see the second half of the men’s and women’s quarter finals. Marin Čilić will play Kei Nishikori and Novak Djokovic will face John Millman in the men’s competition. In the women’s draw, Naomi Osaka is up against Lesia Tsurenko and Madison Keys will take on Carla Suárez Navarro. In MLB the biggest game of the day sees first against second in the National League Central, with the Chicago Cubs in Milwaukee to face the Brewers. The game at Miller Park could well determine which of these two finishes top of the Division with the playoffs fast approaching. Back across the Atlantic and the Tour of Britain continues in the midlands. The cycle race is into its fourth stage beginning in Nuneaton. The riders have 183km to negotiate before the finish in Royal Leamington Spa. Day two of this week's County Championship Division One action sees some intriguing games including a battle to see who avoids the drop at New Road in Worcester, where Worcestershire host Hampshire.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photo by Vuelta a España