The 2023 La Vuelta remains wide open after 17 stages. There is only one team in real contention but the three Jumbo-Visma riders that are fighting for the overall win continue to push each other to the limits every day. Kuss still holds a narrow lead over Vingegaard, with Roglic only a minute behind those two and seemingly in the best shape right now. With Stage 18 bringing another gruelling day in the mountains who can challenge the Jumbo-Visma dominance? Will it be once more 1,2,3 for riders from the same team? Here is our preview for Stage 18, as well as some free betting tips and predictions.
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La Vuelta Stage 18 Profile
The 2023 La Vuelta Stage 18 starts in Pola de Allande and finishes in La Cruz de Linares. The stage is 178.9 km (111.1 miles) long and the starting time is 11:47 GMT. Meanwhile, the estimated finish time is 16:30 GMT.
This is the fourth consecutive mountainous stage and on day 18 the riders will have to face 5 categorised climbs. The final one climbed twice as the last 33km form a circle.
It is all about climbing from early on. In the run-up, the riders tackle the Alto de las Estacas (5.1 kilometres at 7.5%), Puerto de San Lorenzo (9.9 kilometres at 8.6%) and Alto de Tenebredo (3.4 kilometres at 9.5%). The latter ramp is crested with 58 kilometres remaining.
Then the route travels southwest of Oviedo towards what promises to be a grand finale. Eventually, the riders enter a finishing circuit with 33 kilometres remaining to get a first taste of the Puerto de la Cruz de Linares. As if this is not enough they go round and tackle the same climb for the second time before finally reaching the finishing line at the summit.
Our betting tips and predictions for La Vuelta Stage 18
Team Jumbo-Visma contains the two main favourites for the overall win. During yesterday’s stage the top 3 riders were again the three Jumbo-Visma stars Roglic-Vingegaard-Kuss. The trio continue to dominate and occupy the top 3 positions overall too. Can somebody challenge Jumbo-Visma’s dominance now during Stage 18? Here are our predictions:
Our Outright Prediction: Primoz Roglic @ 8/1 (9.00)
The 3-time La Vuelta champion is running out of time to claim another red jersey from this race. He won Stage 17, looking fresher than his main rivals and teammates Kuss and Vingegaard. Still, Roglic remains over a minute behind those two overall and he needs another triumph and some time gained desperately.
With both Vingegaard and Kuss happy to just limit any damage we can see Roglic charging towards another stage win in the hope that he could move even closer to his main rivals before the last few days of the race arrive.
Our Each-way Prediction: Remco Evenepoel @ 1/4 (1.25)
The defending La Vuelta champion Remco Evenepoel is no longer in contention for the overall win. However, he is in pole position to be crowned King of the Mountains and the reason for that is Remco’s ability to climb very well multiple hills during the same stage.
The profile suits Remco and he would be in contention so we back him to break down Jumbo-Visma’s dominance and secure a top 3 finish, even if he doesn’t win the stage.
Our Dark Horse Prediction: Mikael Landa @ 33/1 (34.00)
For our dark horse, we pick the veteran Spaniard Mikael Landa. Landa is having a solid La Vuelta and he has a top-10 overall finish all but secured already. Known all of his career for his climbing abilities Landa loves stages with 3 or more serious climbs and this is exactly what we have on day 18.
Landa is also still in contention for the poka dot jersey but to win it he needs to attack every climb. So, if Landa still has energy in his legs we advise watch out for him attacking.
La Vuelta Stage 18 Odds
These are the top 10 favourites according to the bookies to win Stage 18:
Remco Evenepoel 5/1 (6.00)
Wout Poels 6/1 (7.00)
Primoz Roglic 8/1 (9.00)
Jonas Vingegaard 10/1 (11.00)
Michael Storer 11/1 (12.00)
Romain Bardet 12/1 (13.00)
Sepp Kuss 14/1 (15.00)
Juan Ayuso 16/1 (17.00)
Rui Costa 33/1 (34.00)
Mikel Landa 33/1 (34.00)
The riders considered by the bookies to be the top 10 favourites to win Stage 18 are proven climbers and of course, that late in the race all of the man GS contenders are also considered as potential winners.
Our dark horse pick Landa is also at the bottom of the list. The Spaniard is an experienced and proven climber. He could still challenge for the King of the Mountains jersey but to do that Landa needs points and the only way he can get them is to attack every climb that is left.
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