2011 Vuelta a España, Stage 19: Noja - Bilbao (158,5km)

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Lombardia will be interesting with Poels and Mollema coming out of a good Vuelta. Let's see how much they've improved. I also hope Europcar is invited with Thomas Voeckler.

Oh, and Pablo Lastras. Came third last year and is now riding an incredible Vuelta.

Tbh I don't think Mollema is the type of rider that performs in one-day races. Well last year he did great until he froze in the descent... But other than that...

Also, Lombardia's route is completely different this year, it finishes in Lecco and the full details are still to be announced

 

[El Pistolero]

Tbh I don't think Mollema is the type of rider that performs in one-day races. Well last year he did great until he froze in the descent... But other than that...

Also, Lombardia's route is completely different this year, it finishes in Lecco and the full details are still to be announced

He did ok last year which is why I mentioned him. If he finished the race it was already good as many people didn't manage to do even that. Curious about the route though.

 

[The Hitch]

A poor stage intro as only briefly mentions one very important thing about the stage.

Why is this stage so significant?

Think about it.

 

[Tuarts]

Yep.

Do you think we will see a EE train lead the peloton over the Puerto de las Muñecas (I think that's the border)?

 

[Ragerod]

Massive stage this. How many kilometres of flat are there after the descent?

I don't think that climb is difficult enough for Froome to drop Cobo so it's either a crazy descent to get a gap or taking a sprint finish. However it pans out, it'll be close.

 

[gregrowlerson]

This is a really nice stage, and could prove decisive. The parcours for this final week isn't too bad. Besides, they've already had more than enough MTF's (4, 9, 11, 14, 15 & 17).

 

[cineteq]

Too far from the finish. Unless Froome will be himself, Nibali and Cancellara all in 1 package.

Cancellara no longer in the race. Maybe T. Martin instead? Actually, I reckon Nibali and Liquigas will help Froome win, since Lo Squalo really dislikes Cobo's leading La Vuelta.

 

[greenedge]

I think Froome might just clinch it here. If he gets a gap on the climb ( which might be possible ) he would crack/ dishearten Cobo, then drive on the flats.

 

[bicing]

Txuruka for the brekawy win,
or Nieve/Anton in a freak victory.

Hooray Bilbao.

 

[Tuarts]

Txuruka for the brekawy win,
or Nieve/Anton in a freak victory.

Hooray Bilbao.

Run it through http://tinypic.com

 

[Tank Engine]

EE will go all out to get in the breakaway (Amets in particular). It looks like an easier stage to control than today's, but at this stage a lot will depend on who has any interest in chasing (or has any energy left to chase). Sky have the biggest incentive to bring back a breakaway, since the time gaps here (if any) are likely to be small and so Froome will have to rely on trying to get a place in the top 3 (and in front of Cobo) from a small group at the finish. I think Vacansoleil might be an ally here. I'm picking Poels ftw.

 

[LaFlorecita]

... tackle the descent (I likes) ...

.........

 

[3wheeler]

Think Sky should try to isolate Cobo as Quickly as possible on the Last Climb then let the Froome man Fly.. Best Chance... Froome looking good if he can get mano on mano again..

 

[maltiv]

From the Sky website:

"Tomorrow’s stage ends with a lap in Bilbao and there looks to be a pretty tough climb on it so it’s important Froomey and Brad are well protected again and in a good position to maintain their positions on GC."

Maintain?

 

[vcampbell]

From the Sky website:

Maintain?

"Hey opponents look, we are not going to try anything, you can relax, don't worry, we are not going to attack tomorrow, no way, because it's friday, and on friday no one attacks, so you don't need to be careful."

In reality they will try everything to win the Vuelta with Froome.

 

[Angliru]

Cancellara no longer in the race. Maybe T. Martin instead? Actually, I reckon Nibali and Liquigas will help Froome win, since Lo Squalo really dislikes Cobo's leading La Vuelta.

Is there a history behind this? I hadn't heard about it.

 

[Angliru]

Txuruka for the brekawy win,
or Nieve/Anton in a freak victory.

Hooray Bilbao.

That would be quite poetic if Txuruka were to get his first win in the Basque country. He's definitely been his usual aggressive self so maybe this time it'll pay off.

 

[Euskaltel!]

OK so Euskaltel-Euskadi simply has to win tomorrow! A nine man breakaway perhaps? All orange! Amets deserves to win something with all that attacking, year after year after year... But I'm thinking a Nieve + Anton attack on the last hill... It's quite long, it's quite steep and with both of them taking turns it has to be fun.

Plus, did you see them finish together at Cabarga? Hmm... Looks like they were just tuning up before the race hits the important hills i.e. in the Basque Country

 

[Tank Engine]

OK so Euskaltel-Euskadi simply has to win tomorrow! A nine man breakaway perhaps? All orange! Amets deserves to win something with all that attacking, year after year after year... But I'm thinking a Nieve + Anton attack on the last hill... It's quite long, it's quite steep and with both of them taking turns it has to be fun.

Plus, did you see them finish together at Cabarga? Hmm... Looks like they were just tuning up before the race hits the important hills i.e. in the Basque Country

I would say that their plan is to have Anton in a break with Amets as one of the engines and rely on Nieve for a late attack if necessary. Whether it gets realized is a different question, but they will be major animators tomorrow.

 

[jens_attacks]

i think sky will control the breakaway,sorry my basque friends.on vivero froome will again drop cobo but he will be back on the descent.royal sprint between these two:
1.cobo
2.froome

i will like txurruka for the win though

 

[icefire]

A poor stage intro as only briefly mentions one very important thing about the stage.

Why is this stage so significant?

Think about it.

Because of this:

 

[Descender]

A poor stage intro as only briefly mentions one very important thing about the stage.

Why is this stage so significant?

Think about it.

Well I'm sorry if I'm not up to your holy standards Sir...

 

[Swede1]

i think sky will control the breakaway,sorry my basque friends.on vivero froome will again drop cobo but he will be back on the descent.royal sprint between these two:
1.cobo
2.froome

i will like txurruka for the win though

That would be EPIC!

 

[Zoncolan]

If it's a break, I would like to see either one of the Euskaltel taking a stage (Txurruka preferably),, or if there's a gallop Sagan, as I really want to see him win that points jersey.
BTW: could you squeeze in a poll and we could see how many of us would like Txurruka to win?

 

[Tank Engine]

If it's a break, I would like to see either one of the Euskaltel taking a stage (Txurruka preferably),, or if there's a gallop Sagan, as I really want to see him win that points jersey.
BTW: could you squeeze in a poll and we could see how many of us would like Txurruka to win?

We'd all probably say that we want him to win. A break is possible, but if it's brought back (which I think is likely) that final climb is tough enough and close enough to the finish to split things up and Froome will definitely want to do that, so I can't see Sagan getting a look in here.