Stage 5: Flat and easy

Stage five of La Vuelta a Espana should be calmer than yesterday's stage in Burgos. There are no major difficulties, with just one category three climb at the El Alto de Lanzas Agudas, which will help keep riders on their toes.

The wind will be a major factor during this stage as it tends to blow quite hard in the Zaragoza region and may surprise the riders. In the final metres before the finish, riders will face a slight ascent followed by a 90 degree curve that will play a key role for the final sprint. The final 700 metres are virtually flat and a soaring sprint finish is expected.

Last yeat Once-Eroski's Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano won the stage when his team-mate Joseba Beloki was the race leader. This year he is not set as favourite for this stage but he will have a good chance to improve his overall standing during the time trial on Thursday, also in Zaragoza.