2013 Volta ao Algarve (14th-17th February), 2.1

[Ryo Hazuki]

Shame Steegman's broke his finger; would have been a first chance to see a potential first choice leadout train (Tony, Chav, Gert).

steegmans can't lead out

 

[karaev]

Back to Algarve

Do you think the U23 bronze medalist Tom Van Asbroeck could have a chance to a top 5 in the sprint?

Also Manuel Cardoso will do a good job tomorrow in the sprint IMO.

 

[Cycle Chic]

They are doing Malhao TWICE....and that stage is always a killer.

 

[trevim]

They are doing Malhao TWICE....and that stage is always a killer.

It's basically very rough terrain even without proper climbs.

 

[pedromartins]

Do you really think Cav thinks he can beat Sagan?

Sagan is a beast... But if cav makes it to the finish line, NO ONE will beat him. Look at that kick in 2009.

 

[Arnout]

Shame Steegman's broke his finger; would have been a first chance to see a potential first choice leadout train (Tony, Chav, Gert).

Steegmans.

He's just comedy. I fall of my chair laughing every time I read his name.

 

[manafana]

Mylook at the Volta here on my blog

so hard to get excited no sprinting talent to contest with cavendish and an evne longer time trial to let Martin assert his skills on it. Needed another mountain stage to even that out.

 

[iZnoGouD]

Does anyone know what race is Keldermann peaking for?

 

[manafana]

My Look at the tour this week

cant say im too excited for this, cavendish with little or not rivals, maybe bos can dethrone him if the finish is flat enough and hes smart.

The time trial decides this, another few km added was silly.

 

[Ferminal]

Please stop posting your links in race threads, there is a forum for betting stuff.

 

[theyoungest]

Does anyone know what race is Keldermann peaking for?

Paris-Nice is his first goal of the season.

 

[wheelie1977]

Cavendish had an interrupted time of getting to the Algarve yesterday. he tweeted that a motorway was closed, he missed a flight and a connection!

Is the finish today the same as it was in stage 1 last year? That was tricky with all the roundabouts. Very fast and dangerous.

Bocekmans should ride well today I think. Seems to go well at the start of the year.

 

[manafana]

Please stop posting your links in race threads, there is a forum for betting stuff.

I also talk about the race in my blog posts the betting is purely an side.


Anyway not great race

 

[will10]

I also talk about the race in my blog posts the betting is purely an side.


Anyway not great race

It's at the top of your posts each time. How is that an aside?

 

[wheelie1977]

It's at the top of your posts each time. How is that an aside?

i love your Bill Stapleton quote, Will.

just boils my blood everytime!

 

[manafana]

Surely all thoses issues don't affect Cavendish, if finish is tricky I dont expect the nearest rival bos to handle it that well anyway.

Not surprised this race is struggling, also seems like we are getting less and less live racing too.

 

[wheelie1977]

Surely all thoses issues don't affect Cavendish, if finish is tricky I dont expect the nearest rival bos to handle it that well anyway.

Not surprised this race is struggling, also seems like we are getting less and less live racing too.

this wasn't live last year eitehr. we got a stream from portugal. and it was highlights later.

maybe they don't affect cav but they can't help.

 

[canyonball]

Startlist here

Hard for me to look past Tony Martin. The ITT really is an overkill. Rui Costa and Tiago Machado rounding out the podium of course

 

[jens_attacks]

klodi and menchov to beat tony. it's a long shot i know

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Teams will follow QS like sheep today and let Cav win another stage. Simple.

 

[theyoungest]

Teams will follow QS like sheep today and let Cav win another stage. Simple.

Gilbert did a last minute attack once on this stage. Maybe Rui Costa or someone like that can do the same. Otherwise it's Cav.

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

New team, same Txurruka. He's in the break.

 

[canyonball]

Gilbert did a last minute attack once on this stage. Maybe Rui Costa or someone like that can do the same. Otherwise it's Cav.

Is it the exact same finish as in 2012? (haven't checked the details yet)

If I remember correctly Rui Costa did attack on that uphill avenue last year, yet failed. Not exactly the power of a fit Gilbert...

 

[Parrulo]

Costa doesn't has the acceleration/power needed to get away on such a short hill against a whole peloton like gilbert does

also they changed the profile of the malhão stage this year making it go twice over the malhão . . . . . so it's even easier then on previous years.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Gilbert did a last minute attack once on this stage. Maybe Rui Costa or someone like that can do the same. Otherwise it's Cav.

Gilbert.
When he was on FDJ?
QS + Cav will have similar effect on the peloton as deer looking into headlights.