If not because of protests, then because of something else: brand new Vuelta uphill finish possibly in jeopardy

Protests are still expected, but not on the same scale as in stage 16 or stage 11 to Bilbao. Normally, this relatively flat stage would finish on the Alto de El Morredero, an incredibly tough climb. Hopes are high for a thrilling battle for red, but nothing is certain. Journalists are reporting that the summit is being battered by heavy winds.

The Alto de El Morredero is a beast of a climb: 8.8 kilometers at an average of 9.5 percent. Its middle section is especially brutal, with ramps up to 17 percent. It’s the perfect setting for another showdown between Jonas Vingegaard and João Almeida, who trails the red jersey by 48 seconds. Whether we’ll actually see that fight, however, remains to be seen.