2012 Vuelta a España: Stage 2: Pamplona → Viana (181.4km)

[Geraint Too Fast]

2012 Vuelta a España: Stage 2: Pamplona → Viana (181.4km)

Climbs
77km - Alto de la Chapela - 6km @ 3.5%

A 'false flat' finish - It looks like the final kilometre has an average gradient of around 1-2%.

Contenders - Degenkolb, Swift, Davis, Viviani, Bouhanni, Bennati, Rojas, Mondory, Steegmans...

This years Vuelta doesn't have the strongest of sprint lineups, but Greenedge, Argos-Shimano & FDJ should make sure that the breakaway doesn't stand a chance today.

 

[iZnoGouD]

Tiago Machado will attack because no one expects him to and he will take stage and GC

 

[Afrank]

Bouhanni or Swift for the win, Degenkolb if Argos gets the leadout right.

 

[greenedge]

I shall say Davis- he probably has the best leadout train. If not him Degenkolb.

Bouhanni could win but in his first GT sprint i doubt it.

 

[hfer07]

JJ Rojas should be there with Benatti-even Stannard or Swift can come up with something.....
how about Viviani???

 

[wirral]

What happened to Enrico Gasparotto?

 

[maxmartin]

What happened to Enrico Gasparotto?

broke collar bone, out of the race, I think he will be out of WC too

 

[Lexman]

Gilbert FTW (countered by Contador, Froom and Rodriguez LOL)

are there bonus seconds to earn?

 

[SafeBet]

Elia Viviani time to shine.


And yeah pretty sure Gaspa is out of WC.

 

[Miburo]

Gilbert FTW (countered by Contador, Froom and Rodriguez LOL)

are there bonus seconds to earn?

Yeah I think it's 10/6/4 not sure though

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

20/12/8 unless they've changed this year.

 

[barmaher]

They have changed it, definitely. I think it is 12-8-4 now. But not sure.

 

[Bushman]

That doesnt sound good. Think there should be a bigger difference from first to second than from second to third.

 

[jonjungel]

It is going to be very hot. Yr predicts some showers in the afternoon.
http://www.yr.no/place/Spain/Navarra/Pamplona/
http://www.yr.no/place/Spain/Navarra/Viana/

 

[manafana]

i expect one of the sprinters to be taking this, should suit davis, degenkolb not been at his best so that would be my one worry for him today.

 

[Forunculo]

They have changed it, definitely. I think it is 12-8-4 now. But not sure.

Yes it is.

They balanced the bonus seconds because the number of uphill finishes

 

[Zam_Olyas]

When will the broadcast start?

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Straight after Vattenfall on Eurosport.

 

[No_Balls]

I really like those false flat sprint stages. Make the sprinters work a bit for it and every sprint without Cav is a good sprint. PG is still mad that other team wants to win and try to prevent him from doing that so he will be out of contention.

Expect Rojas to thunder here. This suits him pretty well. He takes it.

 

[Magnus]

That doesnt sound good. Think there should be a bigger difference from first to second than from second to third.

At least there isn't a bigger difference between third and fourth than between second and third

 

[Arnout]

I expect Nacer Bouhanni to win here.

 

[will10]

Degenkolb today.

 

[hrotha]

Ben Swift.

 

[El Pistolero]

Bouhanni, Swift and Degenkolb.

Oh boy, this sprinting field must really suck.

 

[ggusta]

So La Flo went there?