Vuelta a Espana 2013: Riders to Keep an Eye On in Stage 6

Wednesday’s ride to Lago de Sanabria proved every bit as tough as many suspected it would be. As a result, the breakaway group initially led by Arnaud Courteille eventually succumbed to the peloton.

Orica GreenEDGE’s Michael Matthews profited most in the end and nipped his way in front of the recovering pack to claim a Stage 5 win.

However, the ascent is over for now, as riders look forward to two consecutive stages of flat and downhill racing. Thursday’s journey from Guijelo to Caceres is next on the schedule, and the customary amount of stars will be shouldering more responsibility than others.

Gianni Meersman, Omega Pharma Quick-Step

Unfortunate not to claim Stage 5 glory himself, Gianni Meersman was a part of the Omega Pharma Quick-Step group that ascended towards the summit of Galende in strong fashion.

Coming into Lago de Sanabria, the Belgian rider looked as strong as any other and coped well with the demands of the 173 kilometres which had preceded it.

As most riders will, Meersman will have an easier time of things on Thursday. He is likely to once again ride the wave as part of the peloton before attempting another late drive, although such a tactic may not be as likely to win on the decline stage.

Tyler Farrar, Garmin Sharp

Having not won a European title for two years, Tyler Farrar came into this summer’s Vuelta a Espana with as much cause to break his streak as anyone else.

Having placed at fifth in Stage 5, the American is now in a better position to do so, standing out as Garmin’s main asset in the process.

With an inevitable boost to morale as a result of the display, which featured a particularly strong finish over the last 10 kilometres, Farrar will once again prove threatening in the next phase of competition, but will need a much stronger performance from his teammates if he is to succeed.

Michael Matthews, Orica GreenEDGE

As Sky Sports Cycling’s Twitter page supports, Michael Matthews won his first Grand Tour stage with his Spanish victory on Wednesday:

However, with that triumph comes the pressure to continue performing up to that standard. All eyes will now be on the Australian, expecting a strong sprint from him, and expecting him to potentially form a part of any breakaway party that Thursday produces.

At just 22 years of age, the Orica GreenEDGE rider will be as eager as any to make things run in his favor on the downhill slopes of Banos de Montemayor, but he perhaps lacks the experience to navigate them successfully without the support of a better team two stages in a row.