2010 Vuelta al Pais Vasco

[craig1985]

Starts on the 5th and two time winner Alberto Contador is not racing.

Official website

and;

Steephill TV - Live video, route, preview, results and teams

And yes, that is Alejandro Valverde you see on the start list. Going to top Freire for stage 3 and Gesink to win stage 4, the finish at Eibar. Although I think Valverde will win the race overall.

 

[craig1985]

I'm not 100% sure, and I would welcome anybody to correct me, but I think this is the profile for the climb into the finish at Eibar.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

expected startlist: http://www.cyclingfever.com/editie.html?detp=view&_ap=startlijst&editie_idd=MTk2NDM=

on a rabo note, nice to see gesink, mollema and LTD all racing - imo our best 3 climbers.

I saw some of the profiles, and meh nothing too testing. Stage 6 itt will probably be what decides this race.

 

[craig1985]

That said, they should be prepared for some wet weather and some nasty cross/side winds.

 

[woodburn]

Time for the Schlecks to start coming out to play.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Time for the Schlecks to start coming out to play.

They would want to start getting some form up for the classics as they haven't done much so far in the season.

 

[Frosty]

Sammy Sanchez is going to be the main man for Euskaltel but it will be interesting to see how Intxausti goes. He has been having some good results lately.

 

[auscyclefan94]

What about mick rogers?

 

[theyoungest]

expected startlist: http://www.cyclingfever.com/editie.html?detp=view&_ap=startlijst&editie_idd=MTk2NDM=

on a rabo note, nice to see gesink, mollema and LTD all racing - imo our best 3 climbers.

I saw some of the profiles, and meh nothing too testing. Stage 6 itt will probably be what decides this race.

Nothing too testing? Stage 5 includes the Alto de Aia, albeit 15 km from the finish, and the finish of stage 4 is the same as this one. The TT also includes part of the Alto de Aia, and is the same as the one from 2008, which had the following results:

1 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana 29.10.00 (41.143 km/h)
2 Cadel Evans (Aus) Silence - Lotto 0.22
3 Thomas Dekker (Ned) Rabobank 0.27
4 Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre 0.49
5 Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank 1.16

 

[Michele]

Little OT; isnt Valverde supposed to be "suspended from racing" from his own team?

 

[rghysens]

Little OT; isnt Valverde supposed to be "suspended from racing" from his own team?

He finished 2nd in yesterday's GP Miguel Indurain, so I guess not

 

[craig1985]

Nah, don't you see it, is Valverde's twin is the one that is suspended. Either that, or Piti has been under a rock on Mars for the last week and nobody told him.

 

[Moondance]

Based on recent form (and Contador's abscence) Rodriguez probably should be the fave, even if his TTing skills leave something to be desired.

Would love to see Samuel Sanchez pull out the victory for the Basques though (or Robert Gesink for the Dutch, but that ain't happening).

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Why aint that happening? I think Gesink will challenge for overall victory this year.

 

[Moondance]

Why aint that happening? I think Gesink will challenge for overall victory this year.

He'll certainly challenge for the win (Gesink always challenges); but actually take it..... I don't think so.

Gesink will get another 3rd-6th place to add to his ever growing list of 'nearlies'

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I don't know, he didn't do any intense stuff for Meditterraneen and Tirreno Adriatico and yet did very well.
In previous years when he didn't do anything intense yet he had much more trouble finishing that high (5th Tirreno for example).

There's a good chance he might actually win something this time

 

[Moondance]

I don't know, he didn't do any intense stuff for Meditterraneen and Tirreno Adriatico and yet did very well.
In previous years when he didn't do anything intense yet he had much more trouble finishing that high (5th Tirreno for example).

There's a good chance he might actually win something this time

I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[theyoungest]

Gesink or SamSan for me. Rodriguez to lead until the TT, then lose his jersey. Valverde's twin brother to succumb to the pressure of being Valverde's twin brother.

 

[Michele]

I hope Purito can make it but indeed a 22kms TT might be a bit too much.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Which is why I think Gesink will win, 2 years ago he was much worse at timetrialling and finished 5th to everyone's suprise. This year, same time trial as in 2008, so good chance he'll stay close in the GC and take the jersey

But Rodriguez has done very good TT's this year compared to last year, he wanted to focus on being a better stage racer.

So Rodriguez, Sam. Sanchez and Gesink are my favorites. And, if he participates, also Valverde

 

[The Sheep]

Any Dutch know if we can see it anywhere?

 

[maikel]

Eurosports brings it life I thought but their commentators are horrible. On wielerflits.nl they bring links where you can watch good live streams from the race.

Gesink is my main favourite with Rodriguez, he is really maturing as a rider right now, and he hasn't trained intensively yet till last two weeks, but still his results were good. On rabosport.nl there was a interview with him yesterday and he said he is feeling much stronger than in the tirreno and will ride for the win

 

[Ferminal]

This is live on Eurosport isn't it?

Interesting that it's down at the very bottom of the races list on CN.

 

[craig1985]

Mick Rogers twitter:

Stage 1 of the Tour of Basque Country today. Sun is out!! Nice day for racing.

Must be very seldom that the sun is out and not puring down with rain.

 

[Anquetil]

Speaking of Rogers, I think he could do something over there. He's in very good shape too, and the TT is perfect for him ...