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

[Zoncolan]

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.

Yeah, I guess it's the same for any attacking rider who doesn't win often (even with those that do).
As for Sagan, we might see him attack before the last climb to get a gap. He's also a great descender, so...I can hope.
I don't like the point systems at the Giro/Vuelta. Should be a jersey for sprinters, not GC men.

 

[Swede1]

Yeah, I guess it's the same for any attacking rider who doesn't win often (even with those that do).
As for Sagan, we might see him attack before the last climb to get a gap. He's also a great descender, so...I can hope.
I don't like the point systems at the Giro/Vuelta. Should be a jersey for sprinters, not GC men.

No chance really. He only did that when no one knew who he was: ex. Paris Nice. Liqui is going to try to keep the group together for a sprint. But it would be cool to see him on the attack!

I'd actually like to see Sagan attack away from the peloton doing a wheelie with no hands! that would be sick! My boy Sagan only needs to eat his weetabix and he can do anything!

 

[wirral]

No chance really. He only did that when no one knew who he was: ex. Paris Nice. Liqui is going to try to keep the group together for a sprint. But it would be cool to see him on the attack!

I'd actually like to see Sagan attack away from the peloton doing a wheelie with no hands! that would be sick! My boy Sagan only needs to eat his weetabix and he can do anything!

The points classification has not really gone the way it was expected to go. i.e. a showdown between JRod grabbing big points on all the mountain stages and Sagan scoring in all the sprints both pure flat and scoring even more highly in the hilly sprints.

Neither have scored as consistently as they might have done and the Vuelta's scoring system has opened the door to my GC contenders to sneak the points jersey.

Also, the last 3 stages will see Froome and Cobo battling it out for the big time bonuses available at the end and the smaller time bonuses at the intermediate sprints and so picking up some of the big and small points available there.

I reckon the final standing of the top 3 in the points will be:-

1. Rodriguez 136 pts (pushing hard to take the jersey)
2. Mollema 132 pts (dark horse)
3. Froome 126 pts (ending up with points as he goes for the GC time bonuses)

Sagan ends up outside the top 3

 

[Ferminal]

Break will be hard to come by until the first sprint has been past (20km).

 

[royalpig180]

The points classification has not really gone the way it was expected to go. i.e. a showdown between JRod grabbing big points on all the mountain stages and Sagan scoring in all the sprints both pure flat and scoring even more highly in the hilly sprints.

Neither have scored as consistently as they might have done and the Vuelta's scoring system has opened the door to my GC contenders to sneak the points jersey.

Also, the last 3 stages will see Froome and Cobo battling it out for the big time bonuses available at the end and the smaller time bonuses at the intermediate sprints and so picking up some of the big and small points available there.

I reckon the final standing of the top 3 in the points will be:-

1. Rodriguez 136 pts (pushing hard to take the jersey)
2. Mollema 132 pts (dark horse)
3. Froome 126 pts (ending up with points as he goes for the GC time bonuses)

Sagan ends up outside the top 3

Sagan could still win the jersey, but it would take him winning one of the last 3 stages and placing in the top 3 or 4 on another one. Also, he would have to challenge for intermediate sprints, which he hasn't shown a willingness to do yet. If his teams decides to work for him, which they should (Nibali's done obviously), this is possible. Rodriguez seems more motivated to me though.

 

[LukeSchmid]

Sagan could still win the jersey, but it would take him winning one of the last 3 stages and placing in the top 3 or 4 on another one. Also, he would have to challenge for intermediate sprints, which he hasn't shown a willingness to do yet. If his teams decides to work for him, which they should (Nibali's done obviously), this is possible. Rodriguez seems more motivated to me though.

While unlikely it is not impossible that Sagan could win all of the last three stages.

 

[royalpig180]

While unlikely it is not impossible that Sagan could win all of the last three stages.

I suppose so. But he'd need to go all out for all of them and we need to remember that he's already won two stages (an impressive result for his debut grand tour) and he's also focused primarily on building up for a worlds course that suits him just about perfectly.

 

[daveinzambia]

With Wiggins he has said that he has struggled the last few stages. He said mentally after cracking on the Agrilu and then the rest day it felt like the race was over and he struggled to get himself going.

Claims Froomes ride a couple of days ago has woken him up again and he is feeling better.

does not mean he will not crack again mind.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Can't see Froome breaking away and staying away for 14kms.

I think You Got That Right.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Mollema please crack Wiggo (sorry Brits, but you already have Froome as certainty on the podium anyway)

I originally hoped Wiggans would podium in this race, but I have to agree with your sentiment on this now coz I like Bauke too. Meh, Wiggans will probably break through to podium sometime in the future.

 

[The Hitch]

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

You dont think the first Vuelta visit to the Basque country in 30 years, one of the sports most notable support bases, is of huge importance?

 

[Tuarts]

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

I don't think The Hitch was talking about getting logorrhea when writing the previews but what's the important thing about this stage that makes it and this Vuelta so special, transcending the normal race hype? People have been mentioning it on here and Hitch is more than in his right to think it would get mentioned in the OP, it's certainly not just a transition stage.

EDIT: pre-empted as I typed.

 

[The Hitch]

I don't think The Hitch was talking about getting logorrhea when writing the previews but what's the important thing about this stage that makes it and this Vuelta so special, transcending the normal race hype? People have been mentioning it on here and Hitch is more than in his right to think it would get mentioned in the OP, it's certainly not just a transition stage.

EDIT: pre-empted as I typed.

You defended my post and explained it far better than I did myself.

Well done and cheers.

 

[rides like a girl]

Hope to see carrots flying up the road left, right, center and be first over the line! (flying meaning riding quickly not making bike handling errors and fly around off the bike) Of course this is my heart not my head. They have not had a good Vuelta, so not sure they can pull it together under the pressure.

Hope the stage will be lined with fans flying Basque flags and orange clad people all along the route!!! The amount of flags and orange will make the Pyrenees stages in the Tour look sparsely attended!

Race leaders: Cobo in red, Purito for points, Froome for second and Mollema for 3rd.

 

[Euskaltel!]

Hope to see carrots flying up the road left, right, center and be first over the line! (flying meaning riding quickly not making bike handling errors and fly around off the bike) Of course this is my heart not my head. They have not had a good Vuelta, so not sure they can pull it together under the pressure.

Hope the stage will be lined with fans flying Basque flags and orange clad people all along the route!!! The amount of flags and orange will make the Pyrenees stages in the Tour look sparsely attended!

Race leaders: Cobo in red, Purito for points, Froome for second and Mollema for 3rd.

If ever there was a stage for the carrots... They're gonna make Luz Ardiden look sparsely attended =)

 

[auscyclefan94]

Carrots will be going up the road left, right and centre!

The only bad thing is that there is a descent to the finish. It is likely that a carrot will have a big lead over the final climb only to crash in the final straight and lose the stage!

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

"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.

this is sky were talking about.

everything would be wiggo taking risks to, that wont happen.

 

[auscyclefan94]

"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.

a good time to cue my favourite song.

Friday - Rebecca Black

 

[Tuarts]

That says so, so much about you.

 

[Swede1]

a good time to cue my favourite song.

Friday - Rebecca Black

please no..

 

[hatcher]

Sprint point at 19.7 from the start. Might tell us something.

 

[DJ Sprtsch]

Only a couple of minutes more, nad they should've passed!

 

[Euskaltel!]

Sky in charge of the peloton... gonna be an interesting day!

 

[roundabout]

Must be too close to call in the sprint

 

[DJ Sprtsch]

JRod took it

1. RODRIGUEZ OLIVER Joaquin (081)
2. DE LA FUENTE RASILLA David (063)
3. MOLLEMA Bauke (157)