Chris Froome tipped as favourite for the Vuelta a España green jersey ahead of sprinters
Relentless summit finishes mean Froome favourite for points classification
The leader’s red jersey might be his main objective, but with the start of the Vuelta a España being just a day away, the bookmakers are also tipping Chris Froome (Team Sky) for success in green.
The points classification might usually be won by a sprinter at the Giro d’Italia or the Tour de France, but such is the vicious nature of the Vuelta a España route in 2017 with its nine summit finishes, Froome is the favourite to win win green.
The Team Sky rider, who is looking to win the Tour/Vuelta double, is available at odds of 10/3 at some bookmakers, being tipped slightly ahead of second-favourite Julian Alaphilippe (Quick-Step Floors).
Watch: Vuelta a España 2017 essential guide
John Degenkolb (Trek-Segafredo) is the only real big-name sprinter on the start list, but the bookies aren’t tipping him for much success in the fight for the green jersey with odds of around 9/1 – the relentless mountain stages making it tough for him to even make it to Madrid.
Recent history has seen the Vuelta a España points classification won by a wide variety of riders, usually coming down to a battle between an attacking climber and a sprinter.
Fabio Felline and John Degenkolb are the most recent fast men to win the prize in 2016 and 2014, but Alejandro Valverde and Bauke Mollema are also recent winners.