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

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Jan 27, 2011
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I think how many sprinters can hang on will depend on how hard the race is made, personally I am looking foward to a good old trick out of the book from Freire.
 
Jun 7, 2011
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Boonen looked suprisingly strong, but i dont think hes quick enough to win on a flat finish. If Katusha and Liqui drill it on the climb i'd say sagan or breschel will take it. Otherwise ill go with bennati.
 
May 25, 2010
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Sagan all over this one, imo.

Out of interest, does anyone know why Wurf was a late minute withdrawal from the Liquigas team?
 
Jun 17, 2009
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Matti Breschel before la Vuelta started:

He reckoned stage 3 is made for him and also thought he could nick the red jersey after that stage.

EDIT: At position 65 35 seconds down one of his goals seems a bit far fetched
 
Mar 10, 2009
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Well, this stage has written Sagan all over it.

But he was really slow yesterday and he said he'd had no power for final kick. Maybe he peaked too early - Tour de Pologne.
 
May 6, 2009
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This would suit Rojas if he was riding. Well until he came 2nd as per usual. It would have suited Ventoso as well. This is what I like from a GT start, a TTT, a sprint with tough finish, and a Cat 3 mountain 22km from the finish, and barely a kilometre of flat in between.
 
Feb 12, 2010
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If he has the form then this is nailed on for Sagan if a big group makes the finish.

It would normally be a day for a break but the heat may play a part in limiting the effectiveness of a break succeeding.

Outside bet for the win- Roche from a small break that goes away on the climb.

Dangerous day for the likes of Wiggins and Menchov if the climb is hammered. However, I can't help but think people will be holding back for tomorrow.
 
Jan 11, 2010
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Reverend_T_Preedy said:
If he has the form then this is nailed on for Sagan if a big group makes the finish.

It would normally be a day for a break but the heat may play a part in limiting the effectiveness of a break succeeding.

Outside bet for the win- Roche from a small break that goes away on the climb.

Dangerous day for the likes of Wiggins and Menchov if the climb is hammered. However, I can't help but think people will be holding back for tomorrow.
This is just an insult to Menchov. Start watching some cycling.
 
Jun 10, 2010
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theyoungest said:
This is just an insult to Menchov. Start watching some cycling.
Getting dropped in a climb like this is not beyond Menchov's capabilities. He could win the Vuelta, but you can never be certain with him until you see him up there with the best.
 
Mar 13, 2009
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A Menchov in top form can handle these hills very easily.
I remember when Menchov was still at iBanesto.com he dropped Valverde on a short hill, which was, in those years, almost impossible, and won the stage.
 
Aug 6, 2010
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But not an insult to Wiggins?

It could be "dangerous" for riders that rides themselves in form to be at their best in the second part of the Vuelta. Maybe not today, but tomorrow I think we will see some suffering.
 
Jun 16, 2009
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theyoungest said:
This is just an insult to Menchov. Start watching some cycling.

LOL, Menchov can be decent on these finishes but he can also be pretty average. Guys like Anton or Rodriguez could definetly take some time on him in some of the tougher finishes.
 
May 27, 2010
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Go GVA dont dissapoint me! i hope he doesnt do something stupid like going in the days break or attack pointlessly.
 
Apr 27, 2011
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Hard to look beyond Sagan for this one. So I wont. Sagan to take it from a reduced group. Would love to see Haussler up there too