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

[Swede1]

yet wednesday Menchov again lost 30 secnds on a simple mountain where all the favorites finished together

sorry, but it aint gonna happen

Look at the 2010 Tour, Menchov lost time on the stages after the rest days, but didnt lose time on the other mountain stages. He just sucks after rest days! Oh and while im at it, wiggo to launch a blistering attack on the angliru and dust everyone!

 

[Mellow Velo]

But Bola has a final 3 km all over 11% and on rough surfaces, which is where the action took place last year.

Did it, though?
The real attacking was on the preceding slopes, (Mosquera etc) but the last 3kms were all above the grovelling/grinding/clawing time, between the tunnel of fans.

Action?
Me thinks you are more of a sadist, than spectator, Mr Zoncolan Hitch.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Look out for Cobo these next two days, he is going to win the Vuelta.

my thoughts/hope too. the man is back to his 2008 shape _O_

 

[auscyclefan94]

I hope Rodriguez and Mollema rip things to pieces.

Rodriguez is not somone who is giving up and I think he feels he's still in a shot. He'll go for a big attack imo.

 

[Anonymous]

On the anniversary of Txema Gonzales death, Wiggins is desperate to make sure he is in red at the end of tomorrow.

Think its very likely that Zabier Zandio will be among the early escapees as well.

 

[greenedge]

Nibali to attack on the descent of San Lorenzo???

If Scarponi was in top form i could envisage him grinding this mountain to pieces. Sadly he's not.

JROD for the stage.

Menchov to start his renaissance.

 

[Swede1]

my thoughts/hope too. the man is back to his 2008 shape _O_

He was totally awesome in 2008, so maybe even if he doesnt have the killer edge... he is still really good. It would be awesome to see him ride away from everyone tomorrow.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

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.

yeah.

the last 6-7km should be awesome.

 

[auscyclefan94]

I hope Rodriguez rips the field to pieces. The cheeky attack by Rodriguez on the Ancares says we are in for something special from Purito imo.

 

[Swede1]

I hope Rodriguez rips the field to pieces. The cheeky attack by Rodriguez on the Ancares says we are in for something special from Purito imo.

If he attacks to early he will crack and fall apart. To be successful he can only attack in the last 2k (at most) and he wont gain enough time.

 

[auscyclefan94]

I am allowed to dream . JRod was one of the lst people to stay with AC in 2008 until he cracked and fell back quite considerably. I have hope for him. He'll animate things quite a lot.

 

[Swede1]

I am allowed to dream . JRod was one of the lst people to stay with AC in 2008 until he cracked and fell back quite considerably. I have hope for him. He'll animate things quite a lot.

He most definitely will! I do think he can attack from decently far out on the Angliru though. He did pretty well last time I think.

 

[The Hitch]

Did it, though?
The real attacking was on the preceding slopes, (Mosquera etc) but the last 3kms were all above the grovelling/grinding/clawing time, between the tunnel of fans.

Action?
Me thinks you are more of a sadist, than spectator, Mr Zoncolan Hitch.

The appeal of Zoncolan to me comes more towards the end of your first sentence than your second one. Its the fans.

Though climbs that guarantee gc action I also like.

 

[LukeSchmid]

The appeal of Zoncolan to me comes more towards the end of your first sentence than your second one. Its the fans.

Though climbs that guarantee gc action I also like.

Fans just get in the way and overcrowd the road.

 

[Mellow Velo]

I am allowed to dream . JRod was one of the lst people to stay with AC in 2008 until he cracked and fell back quite considerably. I have hope for him. He'll animate things quite a lot.

I don't think your dream is unrealistic, given what was attempted yesterday.
JRod knows he can't just wait for the final couple of kms, if he wants to make more than a marginal gain.............and he does.
Kessiakoff, Mollema, Cobo and Nibali all showed early intent yesterday.

Were today's profile from the Giro, it's exactly what we'd expect to see.
Team Sky to be severely tested, Wiggins isolated early, then mano a mano.

My only concern for this scenario not occurring is thoughts of the following stage making riders conservative.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I am allowed to dream . JRod was one of the lst people to stay with AC in 2008 until he cracked and fell back quite considerably. I have hope for him. He'll animate things quite a lot.

He was the last person to stay with Contador, and after he was dropped he paced Valverde for a while too.

J-Rod could well go early (he needs that time) but blow up. But he's too dangerous to let go, so if and when he goes, all hell breaks loose.

A bit like how Sastre was the one that started the hostilities on the Romme-Colombière in 2009, but eventually arrived in Le-Grand-Bornand more than 9 minutes down.

 

[ferryman]

I hope Brad has his troops primed for this. Gonna be a tough day for them. I can foresee the action coming thick and fast starting 5K or so from the top of San Lorenzo. I've a good feeling today is going to be mega

 

[Sylvester]

Juanjo Cobo to win the stage or to crack and lose 30 minutes.

 

[AussieGoddess]

well - for a change I think I will tip TGBM for today.

Mind you - my predictions are pretty bad to date, so that might not be too great for Mollema's chances

 

[sultanofhyd]

Kessiakoff to win today.

 

[hatcher]

I might join you with Kessiakoff.

 

[Moncoutie]

Kessiakoff in red by the end of the weekend.

 

[roundabout]

I don't get it. Why him?

 

[LaFlorecita]

I don't get it. Why him?

Why not?
.......

 

[theyoungest]

Finally a climb that doesn't seem to flatten out for the final few kms. More suited to the real climbers. Kessiakoff probably won't win the stage (that would mean he'd have to show his face, which doesn't seem to be his style) but he'll be very close.