Hello and welcome to live commentary of stage 18 of an intrguing Vuelta 2010.

That's the first sprint out of the way. Results: 1. ROELS Dominik; 2. PICHOT Alexandre; 3. KAISEN Olivier

Will W has piped up with: "dont make me laugh eurosport hushovd is no competition­ to cavendish!" - You may not think he's a match but he could certainly take points away from Cav in a bunch sprint.

The break is just shy of the first sprint with a lead of 2m 14s.

Only 8km covered and the breakaway already have a cushion of 50s

Gutted for Gricha Niermann. He tried to make the breakaway group but was swallowed back up by the peloton.

Boom! That didn't take long. Eight riders jump away. They are: ESTRADA RUIZ Juan Javier, TORIBIO ALCOLEA Jose Vicente, PICHOT Alexandre, URTASUN PEREZ Pablo, BENITEZ ROMAN Jose Alberto, PIETROPOLLI Daniele, KAISEN Olivier and ROELS Dominik.

No climbs of any note today. It really is one for the sprinters. There are two intermeditae sprints after 21km and 39km.

And the real racing proper gets underway.

More late withdrawl news is that Garmin's David Zabriskie has also quit.

The start is underway with the usual stroll through the neutral zone. The temperature sits at 25C and the rain overnight has now cleared.

News from the start is that Theo Bos and sprinter Thor Hushovd have withdrawn. Pity for Hushovd but more good news for Mark Cavendish as that's one less sprinter to compete for points. The Manx Missile still leads the points competition.

Former leader Joaquin Rodriguez and current red jersey wearer Vincenzo Nibali just had a quick chat at the start. It should all come down to Saturday's mountain stage. But today's conditions could play a part.

Today's stage will have to do an awful lot to live up to yesterday's drama of the individual time trial.