2011 Vuelta a Espana Stage 14:Astorga → La Farrapona. Lagos de Somiedo, 173km

[auscyclefan94]

2011 Vuelta a Espana Stage 14:Astorga → La Farrapona. Lagos de Somiedo, 173km

Finally we have a real, big mountain stage to watch. We won't have a group of riders coming up together. Nobody can hold back their punches now. GAME ON!

The final climb

On 2nd thought, this climb ain't that hard. The final climb certainly justifies that this has been a pretty average Vuelta route. According to La Vuelta site the final climb averages 6%. Lets hope the riders make the race entertaining.

I think it is likely that we will have a new leader here.

The big showdown will be between Wiggins V Mollema V Nibali.

HAVE A GO BOYS!



I have it on good authority that Carlos Barredo will attack. Supposedly he has been training around here and would like to win.

 

[jsem94]

I'm hoping for some REAL gaps.

 

[roundabout]

I think the final climb is more like this

http://www.altimetrias.net/aspbk/verPuerto.asp?id=655

Tough but not majorly and only in the last 7km.

 

[Zoncolan]

That Cat1 climb is at 8.5 %. That should already trouble some of the big boys.
I just hope they don't hold back with the Angliru to come.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Climb by bike said the climb started from La Malva.

 

[Zoncolan]

................................

 

[hrotha]

If they don't take advantage of San Lorenzo (and Purito has already said it's too far from the finish), this looks like another ideal stage for Wiggins.

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

If they don't take advantage of San Lorenzo (and Purito has already said it's too far from the finish), this looks like another ideal stage for Wiggins.

Not attacking doesn't mean that you can't create a very high pace. Just riding more mountains might a lot of riders.
And Purito saying it's to far away might not be the best indicator as he really isn't the type of rider who could dare facing the wind between the mountains.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

mmm.. I think it could be harder then expected.

Is there much wind here?

Surely the fireworks start at 6km to go. That is where wiggans is vulnerable I guess.

 

[goggalor]

The last km looks like it's close to 15 % on the Vuelta profile. Big difference from 6.1% on the climbbybike one.

 

[icefire]

San Lorenzo (East side):

And Farrapona:

This man has declared an interest to win in any place related to Lagos in Asturias:

Too many kms below 4% between San Lorenzo and Farrapona for any significant gap.

 

[maxmartin]

Nibali win here
Wiggins crack

 

[Reverend_T_Preedy]

Tomorrow should be great. That San Lorenzo climb looks a beast.

Wiggins will lose the leaders jersey tomorrow, Im sure of it. Steep enough for the pure climbers to take time off him and a decent on which Nibali and co could take some time out of him.

Big, big day for Wiggins and Sky. Too big in my opinion.

This race is Nibali's to lose.

 

[hfer07]

If the graphic shown by Icefire is correct- then Purito might have a go on the last 4 Km-but as noticed too- from the bottom up to half way of the climb might not create the intended damaged among the GC riders, but all comes down to form & perhaps keeping in mind what's ahead on Monday....

 

[jens_attacks]

purito to get time on everyone.
wiggins will crack nibali big time,i can see cobo staying with wiggins and that's all.
dani moreno will go hard on san lorenzo making the selection,i hope there will be no headwind on the climbs or we are doomed.

 

[Tank Engine]

Can't figure out these profiles. According to the last 3k poster by ACF it goes up about 350m (nearly 12% ). On the larger map the gradients are much lower and on the map Icefire posted they are somewhere inbetween. When in doubt and it's an MTF go for Danny Boy . Watch out for Geox, Katusha and EE to send guys up the road early on. It's going to be impossible to control. Wiggins must be much more careful not to let Nibbles away on a descent, because tomorrow it's down and straight back up, so no great room for errors, especially if there are helpers up the road. It's going to be an interesting warm up for the big showdown on Sunday

 

[jens_attacks]

usually the profiles on altimetrias.net are the correct ones.i've seen a lot of wrong profiles on climbbybike

 

[Forunculo]

The peloton must be broken in San Lorenzo if not little gaps at finish line. Purito has to gamble

 

[Swede1]

Cobo and Menchov to ride away from everyone! Cobo looked pretty good today!

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

If Menchov rides away from everyone I'm buying beer for everyone

 

[Frosty]

With so many people close on GC i cant help thinking that someone high up (top 20) will get in the break, maybe with team mates. If not then it will not be for want of trying and so it will be a fast pace at the start. If someone high up does get in the break then it will be a fast race and this could make the final climb harder than it looks. Either way it will be a hard race IMO, rather than a break going away and everybody soft-pedalling the first half, then a few team mates putting the pressure on. With a time bonus at the top i think we will see the break pulled back. If Rodriguez is to start climbing back into the top 6 or higher then he needs a shot at the time bonus so Katusha should try and pull the break back too.

 

[H2OUUP2]

baaah, peleton this peleton that. Joaquin is taking this stage.....or Sundays. I think he's going to be the straw that stirs the drink this weekend. At least I hope he does.

 

[Moondance]

You know... Just because I feel like it I'm going to predict TGBM to ride to victory.

 

[roundabout]

It's an easy stage to control compared to today until San Lorenzo. Don't see riders from 15 so back gaining a lot of tme before the final climb should they try.

 

[icefire]

If Menchov rides away from everyone I'm buying beer for everyone

Does it count if he rides away backwards?