2011 Vuelta a Espana Stage 7: Almadén --> Talavera de la Reina, 182.9km (26/8)

[auscyclefan94]

2011 Vuelta a Espana Stage 7: Almadén --> Talavera de la Reina, 182.9km (26/8)

First real stage for the sprinters. The GT organisers have really looked to kill off the bunch sprint this year.

Nothing much to say about this stage tbh.

 

[jsem94]

Already posting this stage? Stage 6 hasn't even started airing yet..

 

[Tuarts]

Posting next stage now makes it easier for the mods later on. Doing this thread straight after the preceding stage could result in 4-5 people trying to do the same thing.

 

[LukeSchmid]

I wonder whether it will be Degenkolb or Howard at the end of the HTC train.

 

[Tuarts]

Degenkolb imo

 

[The Hitch]

Wow, finnaly a proper sprint stage. And weve had to wait till stage 7. This i like.

Sprinters deserve their stage as theyve had to get past some tricky stages to get here.

Farrar for the win.

Posting next stage now makes it easier for the mods later on. Doing this thread straight after the preceding stage could result in 4-5 people trying to do the same thing.

I like to think i started this trend with Grossglockner back in May

I wonder whether it will be Degenkolb or Howard at the end of the HTC train.

Does anyone know who was eliminated yesterday. I heard 29 riders or some such.

If so, JJ probably is out

 

[El Pistolero]

Boonen or Farrar.

 

[Lupetto]

Marcel Kittel to win.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Wow, finnaly a proper sprint stage. And weve had to wait till stage 7. This i like.

Sprinters deserve their stage as theyve had to get past some tricky stages to get here.

Yes, it is a refreshing change from the Tour isn't it. In all honesty, I'm waiting for the next mountain stage... what is it, stage 9 or so? Bit later anyway. While I'm here, go Tyler F.

 

[TeoSheva]

Marcel Kittel to win.

by far ___________________

 

[Duartista]

Does anyone know who was eliminated yesterday. I heard 29 riders or some such.

Only Ardila and Garcia Acosta. Plus Breschel this morning.

 

[icefire]

Crosswinds?

 

[roundabout]

Finally.

Cooler weather too.

 

[Ferminal]

I must say that I'm looking forward to a boring sprint stage!

 

[Lexman]

Well without Cavendish even the sprints can become interesting :

01. Farrar
02. Boonen
03. Bennatti
04. Haedo
05. Van Avermaet

 

[Gloin22]

0.6 Sutton

 

[More Strides than Rides]

Well without Cavendish even the sprints can become interesting :

01. Farrar
02. Boonen
03. Bennatti
04. Haedo
05. Van Avermaet

Pretty much what I'm thinkning. Kittel impressed on the second stage, and he edged out Farrar (for third), but I think tomorrow the advantage goes to the big trains which can coordinate better than that earlier stage. Farrar's stage to lose

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Skil's train is not that bad, if Veelers is good. Look Pologne.

I think he even wins tomorrow.

 

[Tank Engine]

Tyler's sure to win tomorrow, as I'm going for Kittel. Look out for Haedo as it's a proper flat finish.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

First real stage for the sprinters. The GT organisers have really looked to kill off the bunch sprint this year.

There were EIGHT bunch sprints at the Tour. How is that "killing it off"?

Sprinters already have more chances to win than all other groups of cyclists combined.

 

[maltiv]

For the first time ever I feel that the sprinters deserve this stage. 1 week and not a normal sprint yet, awesome stuff. Kittel for the win.

 

[Fergoose]

I must say that I'm looking forward to a boring sprint stage!

I think most of the field will be too!

Stagewin
Farrar because Garmin don't have any other priorities it seems.
Prediction Score: 0 out of 6

I tipped Taaramae over Sagan today, because the detailed profile of that last climb looked too tough for Sagan. Then it turns out they went up the less steep side of the climb . Plus I'm told Taaramae announced he was taking a day off. With my Midas touch, I think finishing 0 out of 21 is well within my grasp!

 

[Lexman]

Tyler's sure to win tomorrow, as I'm going for Kittel. Look out for Haedo as it's a proper flat finish.

I have my doubts about Kittel, a stage in tour of Pologne is not the same as the 7th stage in a GT, after two, three mountainous stages, we'll see how he recuperated. About the others (Farrar, Boonen etc.) we know more or less already that they're able...

 

[Tank Engine]

I think most of the field will be too!

Stagewin
Farrar because Garmin don't have any other priorities it seems.
Prediction Score: 0 out of 6

I tipped Taaramae over Sagan today, because the detailed profile of that last climb looked too tough for Sagan. Then it turns out they went up the less steep side of the climb . Plus I'm told Taaramae announced he was taking a day off. With my Midas touch, I think finishing 0 out of 21 is well within my grasp!

Really?? That climb did look pretty steep (12-14% seems reasonable), although it was uber-grimpeur Degenkolb I saw struggling at that point.

 

[l.Harm]

Kittel or Farrar ftw.