2012 Vuelta a España: Tarazona – Jaca, 175 km

[Fidolix]

2012 Vuelta a España: Tarazona – Jaca, 175 km

The route looks flat but it´s up and down all day, perhaps another day with potential sidewinds. The last 2 back-to-back 3rd category climbs is not very tough but Fuerte del Rapitán (3,8 km, 5,4 %) should be an invitation for riders like Joaquin Rodriguez, Philippe Gilbert, Alejandro Valverde, Alberto Contador etc.

Don´t think a breakaway will be allowed to finish this, due to the bonus seconds for the gc guys, and maybe Valverde have a plan to take revenge and take the jersey back.

Valverde FTW.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Yay nice stage, Alberto ftw!

Seriously, I think it will be for Purito. So Purito ftw!

 

[Netserk]

This is the finishing climb. Though they don't go all the way up (almost).

EDIT: And BTW podium to be: 1st: J-Rod, 2nd: Valverde, 3rd: Contador.

 

[LaFlorecita]

This is the finishing climb. Though they don't go all the way up (almost).

EDIT: And BTW podium to be: 1st: J-Rod, 2nd: Valverde, 3rd: Contador.

They don't ride the last 12% bit right

 

[Lanark]

On the profile on the Vuelta website it looks like the last km is 3 or 4% at best. Looks like a stage for Valverde (the 2011 Gilbert would have been unbeatable here, but alas).

 

[Netserk]

They don't ride the last 12% bit right

Well, at the picture it ends at 1110 meters (vertical), but the profile says 1070. So it's ~500m before the top (I would guess where the little picture within the picture points), but then again the stage profile looks like it flattens out a little to the end.

 

[Miburo]

I wonder how the pace will be on the 3th cat climb.

Anyway Purito is favorite. I think saxo plan is to wait untill saterday but Contador won't be able to resist xD

 

[Netserk]

Cross wind tomorrow, but not very strong.

 

[l.Harm]

What's the green line on the map?

 

[Descender]

What's the green line on the map?

The road for the team cars and trucks me thinks.

 

[Lexman]

Purito said he will try to extend his lead in GC so that promises some good stuff...

1. Purito
2. Contador
3. Froome

 

[roundabout]

Rodriguez does have a point about the narrow road. It sure looks that way from the pictures.

And the 3rd cat is nothing.

http://cyclingcols.com/profiles/OroelS.gif

 

[will10]

Purito
Contador
Moreno

 

[bicifan]

Purito
Contador
Moreno

Purito will take 30 sec. on rivals tomorrow for sure

 

[King Of The Wolds]

Valverde and Purito will target this as an important stage on which to get some bonus seconds on Contador and Froome, so I expect Katusha and Movistar to control and bring back the break.

1. Purito
2. Valverde
3. Froome.

 

[roundabout]

Plenty of hairpins as well. 13 in total from the bottom to the fort. And that's in about 3km.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I expect:

Purito
Alberto
Valverde
Froome

Small gaps of say 5 seconds.

 

[Miburo]

Rodriguez does have a point about the narrow road. It sure looks that way from the pictures.

And the 3rd cat is nothing.

http://cyclingcols.com/profiles/OroelS.gif

true but it will be already a battle to be in front.

And in the descent...we're going to see some crazy stuff just before the climb

 

[Netserk]

Plenty of hairpins as well. 13 in total from the bottom to the fort. And that's in about 3km.

+1 Positioning will be very important.

 

[sucotash]

Purito, Valverde, Roche, Moreno, Mollema, Contador, Froome, Marczynski to fight for the win.

 

[Forunculo]

Purito gold chance

 

[alberto.legstrong]

i am securing co-workers phones for streaming. i need to stop by the store and get a gizmo that will take the video from the phone and put it on my monitor.

Except for that steep 12% part at the end I can't see Alberto going for it, not his preferred %, but he does what he thinks is right at the moment. One of the things that makes it great to watch him. He calls awesome audibles!

 

[DominicDecoco]

One of very few stages to actually make a tactical move before the final ascent. Hopefully something will happen there. I wonder if that descent of Oroel is any difficult.

 

[Forunculo]

i am securing co-workers phones for streaming. i need to stop by the store and get a gizmo that will take the video from the phone and put it on my monitor.

Except for that steep 12% part at the end I can't see Alberto going for it, not his preferred %, but he does what he thinks is right at the moment. One of the things that makes it great to watch him. He calls awesome audibles!

The hairpins avoid any steady pace, so it could go against Froome. Puncheurs like Valverde and Purito have a good chance at this climb.

 

[will10]

One of very few stages to actually make a tactical move before the final ascent. Hopefully something will happen there. I wonder if that descent of Oroel is any difficult.

I'd be surprised to see any of the big guns move on the penultimate climb given the plateau at the top of the climb. Hope so mind!