2011 Vuelta a España - Stage 13: Sarria - Ponferrada 158.2 km (2/9)

[auscyclefan94]

Go Mathias Frank!

 

[Descender]

Ah come on. Don't be so mean. (by the way, I was born in '92. Does that make me "stupid" as well?)

Oh I didn't call you anything, did I. I was just suggesting that being young matches with the notion that in order for a climb to be well used, it has to be a MTF and that putting it in the middle of a stage is a waste of time.

 

[roundabout]

This climb on this stage is a waste of time.

 

[Forunculo]

My bet is Kathousa try to isolate Wiggins in Ancares, and Nibali attack in the last descent. Is a bad policy wait for Angliru, a Schleck policy, because basque stages is not a clear chance.

 

[Descender]

This climb on this stage is a waste of time.

If the riders want, it doesn't necessarily have to be.

That being said, the stage is badly placed and the finish could have been situated earlier (even keeping the finish in Ponferrada).

 

[Tank Engine]

Could be tactical with teams looking to get riders there in case it breaks up on the big climb.

Taaramae has had four easy days in a row now, i think he will be looking to get in the break on this stage and the Angliru.

With two first cat climbs it could well be one for the king of the mountains contenders too.

I read on the end of the thread from a couple of stages ago that Rein had a temperature of 39, which explains him being at the back. Unfortunately, seems unlikely that he'll go for it tomorrow, but it's always good to see him at the front.

 

[Frosty]

I read on the end of the thread from a couple of stages ago that Rein had a temperature of 39, which explains him being at the back. Unfortunately, seems unlikely that he'll go for it tomorrow, but it's always good to see him at the front.

Ah ok, fair enough, hadnt seen that.

Chavanel might well fancy tomorrow, far enough down now that he will be let away. Stage suits him fairly well although maybe a bit too mountainous. We'll see.

 

[Eyeballs Out]

I like this stage but then I do like short stages and a good breakaway

Probably nothing significant GC-wise (except maybe for someone climbing back into contention) but then with the two following stages that was always likely to be the case. However, a bold move might not be doomed to failure.

The standout thing about this stage is the Ancares descent which looks more than a bit hairy. Steep and straight (fast) followed by a twisty technical section. Could be dangerous even if it's dry and the forecast looks mixed. I don't know if Nibali would think about an all-out attack but he could put some under pressure and it's not like the opposition are going to have their domestiques there after the climb. Also the forecast is showing tailwind for the run-in

 

[Ferminal]

This climb on this stage is a waste of time.

It will probably be done before live pictures are up too.

 

[royalpig180]

Sagan is the obvious pick if it comes back the breakaway is caught by the main pack before the finish, but seems like a day for the breakaway. Liquigas isn't going to work today with the mountain top finishes to follow, and Sky will do nothing so long as the break is non-threatening.

I'm going to pick LL Sanchez ftw. Chavanel in the break as well, but outsprinted.

 

[LukeSchmid]

Are any of the contenders bad decenders who might lose time on a wet Ancares descent without Nibali really going for it? It could lead to some fun if the leaders group splits on the descent if someone gets caught out.

 

[greenedge]

i think Dan Martin for another stage. Mocoutie to go on the climb. Jrod would go but he lacks descending/ flat riding skills. If anyone is to animate i think it will be Nibali. Fuglsang to follow.

I think Sagan might be dropped and have to work for Nibbles anyways.

 

[Swede1]

Maybe Carlos Sastre will go for a pointless attack that gets pulled back by the bunch? He seems to be good at attacking, staying out front for 20k, and then being caught and dropped.

Also, if the stage is fast, one of the GC contenders like Nibali or Menchov could attack at the end on the flat. If the stage is hard enough and only climbing domestiques are left, they might be able to get a decent gap. (Yes I know Menchov doesnt usually attack, but he should if he wants to win).

 

[gregrowlerson]

Meh, meh and thrice meh.
The Vuelta pay homage to Pau with the stage pinnacle at 60kms to go.....

LOL

Hoping that my Klodi actually tries to get into a breakaway, otherwise WHY is he even riding? No point in trailing in 10 minutes back on each stage. He ain't working for a sprinter, he didn't try in the ITT, so it has to be a breakaway, and he will get all the freedom in the world. Surely after nearly 2 weeks of softpeddling he has SOME form in his legs?

 

[LukeSchmid]

LOL

Hoping that my Klodi actually tries to get into a breakaway, otherwise WHY is he even riding? No point in trailing in 10 minutes back on each stage. He ain't working for a sprinter, he didn't try in the ITT, so it has to be a breakaway, and he will get all the freedom in the world. Surely after nearly 2 weeks of softpeddling he has SOME form in his legs?

To be fair I think he came in wondering how his back was and very quickly found it out it was no good.

 

[luckyboy]

Even so, there is little point in him continuing unless he does something.

Kittel withdraws overnight.

Hoping Chavanel gets in the break today.

 

[Ruudz0r]

Malacarne time!

 

[stetre76]

Are any of the contenders bad decenders who might lose time on a wet Ancares descent without Nibali really going for it?

Wiggins might have troubles (following Nibali) on a technical descent, especially after his crash in the TdF

but I think it's too far to the finish line to try anything on the decent, would probably cost too much energy, especially with the two difficult stages ahead.

 

[Ferminal]

Coverage actually starts an hour earlier than usual so we will get to see Ancares (seems I should read the OP more often!). Whether or not it's worth tuning in, who knows. Token Sastre attack FTW.

 

[Descender]

The Ancares descent is actually taylor-made for Nibali, especially if it's wet. He could easily take 1:00-1:30 on Wiggins and anybody else really. If he manages to get part of his team with him again, then it's maybe even worth trying.

 

[Reverend_T_Preedy]

The Ancares descent is actually taylor-made for Nibali, especially if it's wet. He could easily take 1:00-1:30 on Wiggins and anybody else really. If he manages to get part of his team with him again, then it's maybe even worth trying.

Maybe so but then for the remainder of the stage (which there's a long way to go) you'll have Astana, Sky, Katusha, Geox, Rabobank etc all chasing it down. Personally, Nibali and the other contenders should take it easy bearing in mind the next 2 days!!

 

[Frosty]

Some of the favourites for the stage are the two Rabobankers, Sanchez and Barredo. Suppose it makes sense for one of them to be in the break - if it all goes mad behind them then the break may well be caught so they can then help Mollema if need be. If not then Kruijswijk and Slagter can help him while they try and win the stage. Although Mollema is the number one priority at the moment being in the break also helps them in the team classification.

As outsiders go, how about Niemiec? Scarponi doesnt have the form so the team shouldnt be that bothered about him.

Going to be difficult for Sky to police the stage at first and decide which break to let go. 14th place is at less than 3 minutes and those 12 non-Sky guys cant be let in the break. 24th place is less than 5 minutes back and even 27th placed Moncoutie at 7 minutes back would be a little risky in a large break. If the large break works well and Wiggins finds his team mates being dropped on the climbs then the break could take a lot of time. Maybe Liquigas and Rabo would lend a hand in those circumstances. Tricky for Sky, they dont want to spend the first hour going full pelt on the front trying to chase down every break because that could cost them later on.

 

[Frosty]

Maybe so but then for the remainder of the stage (which there's a long way to go) you'll have Astana, Sky, Katusha, Geox, Rabobank etc all chasing it down. Personally, Nibali and the other contenders should take it easy bearing in mind the next 2 days!!

There is always the chance that everyone just looks at Sky to chase it down. The other teams would quite like to see Liquigas and Sky exhaust themselves today therefore leaving themselves weaker on the next two days. However, this will also be in Liquigas' mind. If Nibali does get away then he will probably only have a few team-mates with him and so he will have to do work himself probably. The way i see it is that Nibali will try and do something on the descent but unless things look really good for him then he will just sit up and let the others catch him up.

 

[c&cfan]

Sagan ftw.

 

[Anonymous]

Not sure why everyone thinks wiggins will struggle on the descent.

Descended just fine in the dauphine, although granted he had eddie boss leading him down, and "may not descent well because of his accident"... well last i remember his accident didnt happen on a wet descent, or a descent come to that. Dont see why that will make any difference.

I think today will be a bit of a snoozefest

Going to be difficult for Sky to police the stage at first and decide which break to let go. 14th place is at less than 3 minutes and those 12 non-Sky guys cant be let in the break. 24th place is less than 5 minutes back and even 27th placed Moncoutie at 7 minutes back would be a little risky in a large break. If the large break works well and Wiggins finds his team mates being dropped on the climbs then the break could take a lot of time. Maybe Liquigas and Rabo would lend a hand in those circumstances. Tricky for Sky, they dont want to spend the first hour going full pelt on the front trying to chase down every break because that could cost them later on.

easy answer to that is for Sky to put someone in the break. Lofkvist lost some more time yesterday would seem the one.