Francisco Aramendia has been joined in today's escape by Adam hansen - they're pedalling into a mighty headwind...
Michael Matthews and Zak Dempster have plenty of time to discuss the expected sprint in Burgos...
Tyler Farrar is wearing a big smile on this sprint-finish day - but can he pull a stage-win off..?
Robert Wagner is smiling too, with ex-director Jose Azevedo - Wagner is a sprinter too, hence the smile...
The peloton is now in full flight as it races into a typical hilltop village in Rioja...
At such speeds, only a strong rider can go back and collect water bottles - Jacob Fuglsang obliges for Astana...
Vincenzo Nibali looks thirsty as he waits for Fuglsang to off-load one of his bottles...
Vuelta España - Stage 17
Christian Meier is leading the arrow formation at the head of the peloton - the headwind is becoming a crosswind on the high plains of Castille y Leon...