The second stage of the Vuelta will involve the first of 6 flat stages of this year’s edition. 

It will consist of 181 kilometres between Pamplona and Viana where, if everything goes according to plan, the peloton will sprint their way through the finale.  Despite the route being almost completely flat during this stage, the riders will have to face their first mountain challenge of the race: the La Chapela summit, a 3rd category climb, located over 100 kilometres from the finish line. 

The final kilometres will stand out for their long, straight paths through vineyards that lead towards the south of Navarra, where the riders will briefly enter the Rioja province.  Viana will be this edition’s first unprecedented arrival location.

There are time bonuses at the Vuelta, so the winner might get to pull on red if the gaps from the TTT are not too much.





Viana Spain - is a beautiful small town in northern spain with some gorgeous architecture and abundent history. Viana is the head of the Principality of the Old Kingdom of Navarra, a title currently held by the crown prince, D. Felipe de Borbón.  Inside the Church of Santa María vestibule are the remains of César Borgia, who died in the fields of Viana in 1507.

The Town Hall
   

Entrance to Iglesia de Santa Maria








Anyway - back to racing ...  ;D

The stage itself wont be too taxing.  181km with only 1 categorized climb which is a long way from the finish.  Its unlikely that either Phil or any climber or GC rider will come out to play today.

Still the sprint list is an interesting one.  With none of the recognised top tier sprinters in attendance, its possible for a second tier sprinter to take the step up and make a name for himself here

Ben Swift, Gianni Meersman, Elia Viviani, JJ Rojas, Julian Dean and JohnDegenkolb all have a reasonable chance here ... as well as quite a few others.


results of stage 1

	team
1	Movistar Team	MOV	18' 51''
2	Omega Pharma - Quickstep	OPQ	a 10
3	Rabobank Cycling Team	RAB	a 10
4	BMC Racing Team	BMC	a 10
5	SKY Procycling	SKY	a 12
6	Lotto Belisol Team	LTB	a 12
7	Team Saxo Bank - Tinkoff Bank	STB	a 14
8	Katusha Team	KAT	a 15
9	Euskaltel - Euskadi	EUS	a 28
10	Orica Greenedge	OGE	a 33
11	Astana Pro Team	AST	a 34
12	AG2R La Mondiale	ALM	a 34
13	Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team	VCD	a 35
14	Liquigas - Cannondale	LIQ	a 41
15	Cofidis le credit en ligne	COF	a 47
16	Lampre - ISD	LAM	a 54
17	Radioshack - Nissan	RNT	a 55
18	FDJ - Big Mat	FDJ	a 57
19	Team Argos - Shimano	ARG	a 59
20	Andalucia	ACG	a 1:01
21	Garmin - Sharp	GRS	a 1:27
22	Caja Rural	CJR	a 1:27

A fantastic pic courtesy of our friend jens attacks.

Ben Swift, Gianni Meersman, Elia Viviani, JJ Rojas, Julian Dean and JohnDegenkolb all have a reasonable chance here ... as well as quite a few others.

I dont know about Meersman he is more of a puncher and would only really feature probably if all other sprinters are gone....

Wow... Hedn't paid attention to this before, but there's a distinct lack of elite-level sprinters here... Anyway, Bouhanni for the stage today.

I can imagine Sky giving Swift a strong leadout today, but yeh Argos Shimano may be one of the only teams working...

Bouhanni considering his past record, I dont see him beating the others in a flat out sprint if that is what it comes down to..

It will be a sprint, at least for today but on other stages there's no certainty, only Argos and FDJ have the means and reason to really chase down a break.

For the sprints I'd say there's about 10 guys with a chance, mainly Rojas, Bennati, Degenkolb, Swift, Bouhanni, Davis, Vivianni, Breschel, Steegmans, Fernandez and then guys who will figure up there are Meersman, Viciosio, Vigano, Boom, Duque, Mondory and Perez