2012 Vuelta a España: Stage 4:Barakaldo-Estación de Valdezcaray 160.6 Km

[The Hitch]

If its this slow.tempo everyone is.predicting anton might as well have a go.

 

[Dedelou]

If its this slow.tempo everyone is.predicting anton might as well have a go.

I have mixed feelings about this one : On one hand I could see two or three break survivors making it and taking the bonus time; and on the other hand I can see Foome and Alberto ducking it out , one to win back the seconds he lost today and the other to try to take more time

 

[webvan]

That's going to be another fast climb, longer than today too...

 

[manafana]

this will be a much easier climb yes hard at start but just gets easier as goes up, someone like moreno will like it, really needs be someone with a good finish on slight uphill.

 

[sucotash]

Look out for Marczynski. In a little group sprint he might get a shot.

He is in great form and the climb should suit him. He is also fast. Today he was the one that tried to go with the top four after the firs Valverde attack, well it was a little bit to optimistic, and he paid for it. But it was a great ride for him. Nobody expected that Maniek will be the best Vacansoleil rider Also he is not a threat for the GC riders, and he is free to ride. De Gendt is done for the GC.

 

[hrotha]

If Valverde is truly back he should take this, beating some other 25-30 guys in the sprint.

 

[Koba80]

Seeing as the road race side of the forum is now officially unabated fanboyism, can I just say...

LAGUTIN FTW!

 

[hfer07]

Purito should be adamant to go for this stage after losing the last one so pitifully against Piti anyways- there will be attacks for sure,even if the stage win comes from a sprint.

 

[Koba80]

Seeing as the road race side of the forum is now officially unabated fanboyism, can I just say...

LAGUTIN FTW!

And, as an aside, if someone can give me an Uzbek (or, PLEASE, Turkmen) champion jersey avatar image, I will love you almost as much as this stage 4 result.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Purito v. Valverde round 2, purito FTW this time. Contador to put a little more into an attack then he did today and test Froome's endurance.

I'd agree. Besides the final climb is more suited to Valverde than Contador.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

And, as an aside, if someone can give me an Uzbek (or, PLEASE, Turkmen) champion jersey avatar image, I will love you almost as much as this stage 4 result.

 

[auscyclefan94]

I was actually thinking that tonight's stage will be more like Rocca di Cambio.

 

[search]

I was actually thinking that tonight's stage will be more like Rocca di Cambio.

it is, but without the steep part in the end

 

[Aguirre]

this should be an sprint between moreno and valverde, with more options for the second. Uran can do also well.

doubt gilbert can be there at the final, but las 3 km suits to him very well

contador won't attack today

 

[Kwibus]

I guess it all depends on Contador today. If he decided to attack early on the climb again the bunch will be shredded and we will get a small group at the finish. I really don't expect any other big favourite to attack on this climb with the last 5k not that hard and exposed to the wind.

I don't think Contador will attack as well, but he's the only one that might try it.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Alberto won't attack but he will win anyway

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

this will be a much easier climb yes hard at start but just gets easier as goes up, someone like moreno will like it, really needs be someone with a good finish on slight uphill.

Why Moreno when his teammate Rodriguez is an even better version of Moreno.
And ofcourse Valverde again.
Maybe add Uran to the mix as well this time, and Mollema. All good in uphill sprints after a longer climb

 

[LaFlorecita]

Why Moreno when his teammate Rodriguez is an even better version of Moreno.
And ofcourse Valverde again.
Maybe add Uran to the mix as well this time, and Mollema. All good in uphill sprints after a longer climb

Yeah if you want to call 1.33% uphill

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Yeah if you want to call 1.33% uphill

It's not downhill and it's not 0.00% flat

 

[LaFlorecita]

It's not downhill and it's not 0.00% flat

Okay yeah technically it is uphill

 

[Lexman]

I guess it all depends on Contador today. If he decided to attack early on the climb again the bunch will be shredded and we will get a small group at the finish. I really don't expect any other big favourite to attack on this climb with the last 5k not that hard and exposed to the wind.

I don't think Contador will attack as well, but he's the only one that might try it.

Yes i agree with you...

in that case Contador FTW, followed by Froome, Purito, Valverde to lose a few seconds

 

[LaFlorecita]

I don't think that Alberto can stay away in case he attacks; when the climb flattens Froome, Purito, Valverde etc can come back if they get dropped. Not that I can see him drop them anyway.

 

[LaFlorecita]

And Alberto could lose some more seconds to Froome, Valverde and Purito today... I'm hoping for a surprise top 3

 

[iZnoGouD]

Machado is fast

 

[LaFlorecita]

Machado is fast

Well if a group of 30-40 guys arrive at the finish line together he could win but I still think Purito, Mollema, Valverde etc are faster.