2011 Vuelta a Espana Stage 3: Petrer - Totana, 164km

[jobiwan]

Many of the riders will be familiar with today’s roads from the Tour of Murcia, although the mid-summer temperatures are likely to be very different to those experienced when that race took place in March. The route is straightforward until the first passage through the finish line. From there, the riders will head up into the Espuña range for the cat 3 Alto de la Santa. It’s little more than 10km from its summit back to the finish. While this may give the sprinters time to take control, this final descent will most likely open the stage up to late attackers. (From Cycling News)

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Hopefully a stage for the attackers!!!

 

[LaFleur]

Wow, seems like a perfect place for a Taaramae attack, a short stage, a short-ish climb and a descent right after it. But nah, he said that his goal is not to lose any time to be perfectly positioned for Sierra Nevada.

 

[Jamsque]

We ought to see another new race leader after this stage. It's hard to predict who might get away on the Alto de la Santa, I know people expect Duarte to have a go but I'm not so sure. Liquigas will try to control it for Nibali's GC and to give Sagan a chance at a sprint from a reduced bunch.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

If it all comes back together, it's the perfect platform for somebody like Sagan or Greg van Avermaet. Maybe if some good descenders get away then the breakaway could take it. It's also a good opportunity, if they dare, for some of those GC contenders who are very good at going downhill (say, for example, Vincenzo Nibali) to put a bit of pressure on those who aren't (say, for example, Denis Menchov and Igor Antón).

I expect Movistar to probably try to get a win here, and I've earmarked Madrazo and David López as the riders most likely to give it a go, based on their attitudes, performances and showings in March and April.

 

[jsem94]

285 meter rise in 4.6km

That is 6.2% avg for 4.6km, with 12.4km to the finish from the top. We'll see a pretty reduced field. No Cav.

Is this a day for Sagan or GVA?

 

[The Hitch]

This reminds me of 2 stages from this years Tour.

The Great One isnt here to turn an average stage into a brilliant one.

Can Joaquim Rodriguez fill his shoes?

They will all probably try to save themselves for Tuesday though.

Wasnt the stage Thor won last year similar to this?

 

[LabMonkey]

285 meter rise in 4.6km

That is 6.2% avg for 4.6km, with 12.4km to the finish from the top. We'll see a pretty reduced field. No Cav.

No Kittel either?

 

[roundabout]

Also not all 'potential' GC riders.

Should be a fun final climb. 45-50 people to arrive together.

 

[Duartista]

I suspect the fact that Sierra Nevada is the following day will mean that no-one with GC pretensions will attack on the climb. You never know with Duarte, but I think he will just be trying to ride himself into some form this week and avoid losing time.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Sagan I think. Shame Contador isn't there.

 

[Lanark]

We ought to see another new race leader after this stage. It's hard to predict who might get away on the Alto de la Santa, I know people expect Duarte to have a go but I'm not so sure. Liquigas will try to control it for Nibali's GC and to give Sagan a chance at a sprint from a reduced bunch.

A good Bennati shouldn't have that much trouble with this stage. That climb doesn't appear to be really difficult. I would expect an 80 or so men sprint, with the usual favorites (Sagan, Breschel etc.)

 

[AlejandroValverde]

I will go with Haussler. After a hill only few sprinters will be in thepeleton: Sagan, Haussler, Goss and some others. Garmin for example can make the pace extremly high to leave weaker sprinters behind. Haussler showed many times he's a big rider in such type of terrain. Go Heinrich!

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Goss DNFed today.

 

[roundabout]

I read somwhere that the final 2km of the climb are pretty tough with ramps up to 10%

 

[jens_attacks]

first cobo goes,he's brought back and duarte attacks.this might be fun.
i think sastre will be dropped just like last year,he's no more motivated.

 

[Raceoftruth]

Any chance of sutton getting a second?

 

[Duartista]

first cobo goes,he's brought back and duarte attacks.this might be fun.
i think sastre will be dropped just like last year,he's no more motivated.

I still think Sastre will end up doing OK, riding consistently in the mountains and perhaps scraping into the top 10.

Although, as you say, he may well lose a bit more time tomorrow if more explosive riders force the pace on Alto de la Santa.

 

[jens_attacks]

and i'm so looking forward to the KKK tomorrow:

14 135 KISERLOVSKI, Robert AST + 10''
15 134 KASHECHKIN, Andrey AST + 10''
16 131 KESSIAKOFF, Fredrik AST + 10''

 

[Mellow Velo]

We ought to see another new race leader after this stage. It's hard to predict who might get away on the Alto de la Santa, I know people expect Duarte to have a go but I'm not so sure. Liquigas will try to control it for Nibali's GC and to give Sagan a chance at a sprint from a reduced bunch.

Bennati usually makes the cut on stages like these.
He owns: "The sprinter most likely to get over the hill, but lose the sprint." title.

I don't think tomorrow will be quite the attack fest some expect. The following few days are either much harder, or offer better opportunity.

If it happens it will be from 2nd Division riders, most likely.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

and i'm so looking forward to the KKK tomorrow:

14 135 KISERLOVSKI, Robert AST + 10''
15 134 KASHECHKIN, Andrey AST + 10''
16 131 KESSIAKOFF, Fredrik AST + 10''

Do they also wear bed sheets as a suit?

 

[Michielveedeebee]

Chavanel might have a go

 

[auscyclefan94]

285 meter rise in 4.6km

That is 6.2% avg for 4.6km, with 12.4km to the finish from the top. We'll see a pretty reduced field. No Cav.

Is this a day for Sagan or GVA?

Sagan definetly but I am not sure about GVA. Could be a little steep form him with the distance of the climb.

 

[Tank Engine]

Chavanel might have a go

Was just thinking the same thing, but I think it's too early in the race for a late break to stick. Sagan, Bennati and Breschel will be near the front (probably in that order). I'm not ruling out Kittel (really impressed with him today, wasn't sure how he'd do in such a finish) or Farrar (Haussler wasn't anywhere today which seems strange), who could keep in the front group if the last climb is not ridden too hard and would beat the others in a flat sprint. HTC will be betting on Degenkolb and Sutton could do well again as the awesome Sky leadout train will not be a factor (looking at the video of the finish today, it seemed to fall straight into his hands, but he played it cool). In short, I love these type of finishes as I've no idea really who's going to win (even if Phil were riding, he wouldn't be odds on).

 

[icefire]

This reminds me of 2 stages from this years Tour.

The Great One isnt here to turn an average stage into a brilliant one.

Can Joaquim Rodriguez fill his shoes?

They will all probably try to save themselves for Tuesday though.

Wasnt the stage Thor won last year similar to this?

The climb was similar but it was a bit further away from the finish. Thor won the sprint from a 70 men field.

In a post-stage interview Bennati said he saw himself having a shot at the stage and keeping the GC lead.

 

[nvpacchi]

Is this climb too much for degenkolb?

I can see bennati and breschel duke it our on this one. Lloyd mondory to surprise