3:10 p.m
Field crosses Torrelavega
The field is currently crossing the city of Torrelavega. Torrelavega is an industrial and economic center of the region. The Saja and Besaya rivers converge in the city and the municipal area lies between 12 and 606 meters above sea level.
16km
3:07 p.m
Not a dangerous driver
There is currently no driver in the breakaway group who can pose a threat to those competing for the overall standings. Best placed in the overall ranking is Romain Bardet (Team DSM-Firmenich) from the breakaway group, but he is already 54 minutes behind.
13km
3:02 p.m
Ten riders in front
The sun has now come out again. A group of ten riders leads the way. Included are, among others, Andreas Kron (Lotto–Dstny) and Kaden Groves. Their lead is currently 22 seconds.
9km
14:56
Will the outliers get away?
A group of a few riders has formed, but the gap to the rear is still small at ten seconds. Can they get away or will the gap be closed again?
7 km
14:53
Fast pace
Despite the heavy rain, the racing continues and there is a lot of hectic activity in the peloton. Many want to get into the breakaway group. There are now gaps in the peloton everywhere!
5km
14:51
Long field
The route is quite stretched in the first few kilometers due to the narrow main roads. After starting at Liencres Playa, the stage first leads to Torrelavega before the riders return to the Atlantic coast at Suances.
4km
2:49 p.m
The first attacks
After starting, it doesn’t take long until the first attacks occur. Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck) sets pace at the front with some other riders and opens up a small gap.
1 km
2:48 p.m
The race is on!
The race has started and in the rain the drivers set off! Two riders left the Vuelta before today’s stage. Welay Hagos Berhe (Jayco AlUla) tested positive for Corona, while David De La Cruz (Astana Qazaqstan) is quitting the Vuelta due to a gastrointestinal infection and fever.
2:46 p.m
The remaining ratings
The sprint classification continues to be dominated by Kaden Groves, who has collected 208 points so far on the tour. Remco Evenepoel is second with 135 points ahead of Andreas Kron (Lotto–Dstny) with 111 points. In the mountain classification, Evenepoel recently pulled ahead of Michael Storer (Groupama – FDJ/39 points) and Jonas Vingegaard (36 points) with 71 points.
2:43 p.m
The overall ranking
In the overall ranking, Sepp Kuss continues to wear the leader’s red jersey. The American has a 1:37 minute lead over his teammate Primož Roglič. Jonas Vingegaard is the third Jumbo star, 1:44 minutes behind. The trio will be looking to fend off the Spanish competition behind them over the next few days. Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) is 2:37 minutes behind, while Enric Mas of Movistar Team is 3:06 minutes behind.
2:42 p.m
The field is rolling
The field starts moving and the neutral starting phase has begun. The sharp start will follow at around 2:47 p.m.
2:37 p.m
The weather
The weather may also play a role today. After lots of sunshine last week, the rain is back and riders will have to prepare for showers and wet roads during the stage today.
14:28
The favorites
Jumbo-Visma is in an excellent starting position and has placed three of its riders at the top of the overall rankings at the Vuelta. Your goal for today should be to control the race and keep the gap in the overall standings stable. The profile of the upcoming stage should certainly make the task easier. It will also be interesting to see what Remco Evenepoel does today. Since the Belgian fell out of the fight for overall victory in a tough stage, he has been in the breakaway group in the last two stages. An opportunity that he could strive for again today.
14:23
Today’s stage
Stage 16 is a comparatively short stage through the rugged north of Spain, with a brutal mountain finish. Near the sea, the stage runs over 115 hilly kilometers without any significant gradients. So it all depends on the final kilometers. The final climb is 4.9 kilometers long and has an 8.7% gradient. It starts very steep, has a flat section in the middle and then rolls up to the finish line with gradients of usually 10%.
2:17 p.m
The look back
In the 15th stage of the Vuelta last Sunday, German rider Lennard Kämna narrowly missed his second victory in the Tour of Spain. Kämna was initially part of a three-man leading group, but fell three kilometers from the finish and then had to fight back. The day’s victory went to the Portuguese former world champion Rui Costa from the Intermarche-Circus-Wanty team. Santiago Buitrago from Colombia took third place.
14:11
Welcome!
The final week of the Vuelta a España 2023 has begun and after the rest day on Monday the 16th stage starts today from Liencres Playa near Santander over 120.1 kilometers to Bejes, where the finish is at an altitude of 529 meters. The neutral start is at 2:40 p.m. before things really get going at 2:47 p.m.!