Punchy finish should suit Alaphilippe

Stage five
Starts midday Wednesday, Live on Eurosport 1 from 2pm

Matteo Trentin extended his lead in the points classification to 18 points with victory on stage four of the Vuelta a Espana on Tuesday.

There was no change to the overall standings with Chris Froome maintaining his two-second lead over three riders. The Brit is 1-2 to win the red jersey.

After a flat day, it's back into the mountains on Wednesday with five climbs to tackle on the route from Benicassim to Alcossebre - including the first of eight summit finishes.

Froome is 6-1 second-favourite to take the stage and extend his lead in the general classification, but the nature of the final climb looks more suited to a punchy rider.

While not particularly long at 3.4km and averaging a manageable 4.2 per cent, there are plenty who will fancy their chances. However, the gradient reaches around 15 per cent on the lower slopes which brings classics-style riders firmly into the equation, and none more so that Julian Alaphilippe.

Second-placed finishes at Liege-Bastogne-Liege and La Fleche Wallonne illustrate his liking for a steep finale and he could claim a third stage win of the race for his Quick-Step Floors team.

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