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But Ayuso is not an alien like Pogacar or Vingegaard.Unlikely indeed, but not impossible, with 3 guys within 11 seconds. All it takes is a small gap in the final 100 meters + 10 boni seconds. I don't get the feeling we are seeing the absolute best Ayuso here, tbh. His TT was good, but not on a different level compared to Vlasov, Rodriguez and Van Wilder. They all finished within 10s and had the same weather conditions.
here are the "real" gaps as well, in case they end up at s.t.Close enough for the title to be in play tomorrow. Adam Yates is 52" behind in GC, so they only have Ayuso to ride for.
EDIT: Official GC:
Prologue | Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 | TOTAL | GAP | |
Ayuso | 0:03:01,95 | 3:49:58,00 | 4:03:00,00 | 0:20:27,28 | 8:16:27,23 | |
van Wilder | 0:02:59,86 | 3:49:58,00 | 4:03:00,00 | 0:20:36,85 | 8:16:34,71 | +07,48 |
Vlasov | 0:03:02,55 | 3:49:58,00 | 4:03:00,00 | 0:20:36,09 | 8:16:36,64 | +09,41 |
Rodriguez | 0:03:05,72 | 3:49:58,00 | 4:03:00,00 | 0:20:34,49 | 8:16:38,21 | +10,98 |
Martinez | 0:03:01,89 | 3:49:58,00 | 4:03:00,00 | 0:20:50,86 | 8:16:50,75 | +23,52 |
Lipowitz | 0:03:06,56 | 3:49:58,00 | 4:02:58,00 | 0:20:56,73 | 8:16:59,29 | +32,06 |
Plapp | 0:03:12,66 | 3:49:58,00 | 4:02:44,00 | 0:21:05,52 | 8:17:00,18 | +32,95 |
Armirail | 0:03:08,09 | 3:49:58,00 | 4:03:27,00 | 0:20:29,24 | 8:17:02,33 | +35,10 |
Voisard | 0:03:03,48 | 3:49:58,00 | 4:03:00,00 | 0:21:01,04 | 8:17:02,52 | +35,29 |
Caruso | 0:03:03,96 | 3:49:58,00 | 4:03:00,00 | 0:21:01,75 | 8:17:03,71 | +36,48 |
He showed earlier this year in the neutralized ITT at O Gran Camino that he's not a bad TT-er and his win at Laigueglia holding off Ayuso & Christen showed he can keep up a good pace on the flat.Lenny Martinez is a surprisingly capable TTer for his size. Imo already a more complete rider that freaking Gaudu...
Second part of the climb has 4km between 6.5 - 8.8%, i guess if we are to see something, we'll have to wait til then. Differences are small, i can't imagine anybody in the top 10 taking the risk of going from far, with the intent to do the descent, valley and the entire final climb alone. Perhaps guys like Bernal, Gaudu, Arensman or Hindley could try it. They are far enough back and they have a teammate close to Aysuso. It could force UAE/Ayuso to overplay their hand so Vlasov, Martinez or Rodriguez could benefit. But honestly, all UAE has to do then is send Yates along for the ride. But there are still a few plays to be made.Is 14k at 6% enough to make anything happen? I guess the action could start 50k out.
There is an uncategorized climb of 1 km @ 9% prior to the final climb so someone could use that as a launching pad. Doubt it though.Second part of the climb has 4km between 6.5 - 8.8%, i guess if we are to see something, we'll have to wait til then. Differences are small, i can't imagine anybody in the top 10 taking the risk of going from far, with the intent to do the descent, valley and the entire final climb alone. Perhaps guys like Bernal, Gaudu, Arensman or Hindley could try it. They are far enough back and they have a teammate close to Aysuso. It could force UAE/Ayuso to overplay their hand so Vlasov, Martinez or Rodriguez could benefit. But honestly, all UAE has to do then is send Yates along for the ride. But there are still a few plays to be made.
Is 14k at 6% enough to make anything happen? I guess the action could start 50k out.
2006 was pretty good, when they did this climb for the last time (in 2017 the finish was the same as well, but only using the final 5k)Second part of the climb has 4km between 6.5 - 8.8%, i guess if we are to see something, we'll have to wait til then. Differences are small, i can't imagine anybody in the top 10 taking the risk of going from far, with the intent to do the descent, valley and the entire final climb alone. Perhaps guys like Bernal, Gaudu, Arensman or Hindley could try it. They are far enough back and they have a teammate close to Aysuso. It could force UAE/Ayuso to overplay their hand so Vlasov, Martinez or Rodriguez could benefit. But honestly, all UAE has to do then is send Yates along for the ride. But there are still a few plays to be made.
2011 as well, making it the most used uphill finish of the race since the WT.(in 2017 the finish was the same as well, but only using the final 5k)
Very strong wind downvalley (south to north) today.There is an uncategorized climb of 1 km @ 9% prior to the final climb so someone could use that as a launching pad. Doubt it though.
Also Gaudu in the wheel of Vlasov still thereSo Bernal, Rodriguez, Ayuso, Yates, Yates, Van wilder, Rodriguez, Lipowitz, Vlasov, Carapa, Alaphlippe, Berthet (or Armirail?), Mas, Vanhoucke, Martinez, ...
Basically no domestiques left so will probably just be a bigger peloton again in a bit, but at least that's some KJs in the leg before last climb.
A recurring question!Where's Fausto?