2013 Vuelta a España, Stage 16: Graus→Sallent de Gállego. Aramón Formigal (147 Km)

[Afrank]

2013 Vuelta a España, Stage 16: Graus→Sallent de Gállego. Aramón Formigal (147 Km)

Aramón Formigal 15.8 km, 4% average, 9.5% max, 640m gain

Weather: There will be sunny weather in this stage, with some clouds in Cotéfablo and Formigal Highs only.

Winds: The wind will be light in all this route. It will blow from Southwest, West and Northwesterly. It will be favourable from Graus to Foradada High climbing, from left side later as far as Cotefablo High climbing, contrary in Cotefablo High, and contrary later from Biescas as far as the arrival.

Temperatures: Oscillating between the mild 23ºC in the lowest stretch of the stage and the coolest 14ºC in the summit of Formigal High.

General classification after stage 15
1. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Astana Pro Team 60:20:21
2. Christopher Horner (USA) RadioShack Leopard 0:00:50
3. Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar Team 0:01:42
4. Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Katusha 0:02:57
5. Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita) AG2R La Mondiale 0:03:43
6. Nicolas Roche (Irl) Team Saxo-Tinkoff 0:03:49
7. Thibaut Pinot (Fra) FDJ.fr 0:04:59
8. Leopold Konig (Cze) Team NetApp-Endura 0:06:18
9. Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 0:07:46
10. Tanel Kangert (Est) Astana Pro Team 0:09:11

Another day for a lone survivor from the break perhaps? Or will the GC guys finally decide to go for the stage win? Rest day the next day, so hopefully they decided to go for it and we get some good GC action.

 

[Arredondo]

Not a hard climb, the Formigal.

I hope for a Fuente Dé scenario!

 

[The Hitch]

Yeah, I was going to say. Crappy uphill seemingly unnecesary finish just after the big mountain stages. Looks a bit like a stage last year.

Thing is though Fuente de was 1 in a million. Goes against everything modern cycling represents. I cant see another one happening in the next decade yet alone the year after.

 

[Arredondo]

Yeah, I was going to say. Crappy uphill seemingly unnecesary finish just after the big mountain stages. Looks a bit like a stage last year.

Thing is though Fuente de was 1 in a million. Goes against everything modern cycling represents. I cant see another one happening in the next decade yet alone the year after.

Definitely, particularly if you look which guys have to give a show. Last year it was Contador, now non-attackers Purito and Piti.

Horner i don't think he's going to take the risk. He still can win la Vuelta on the Angliru.

 

[The Hitch]

Definitely, particularly if you look which guys have to give a show. Last year it was Contador, now non-attackers Purito and Piti.

Horner i don't think he's going to take the risk. He still can win la Vuelta on the Angliru.

Nah, this is what will happen on Angliru

 

[Arredondo]

Yeah, with Horner as the second guy putting his hands in the air

 

[The Hitch]

Yeah, with Horner as the second guy putting his hands in the air

Oh, Its possible Horner will have his hands in the air

 

[webbie146]

Nibali won't be dropped, his form is getting better everyday. Plus Vino knows what it takes to win a GT

 

[Arredondo]

Haha, you win

 

[roundabout]

Piti should try to win the stage.

But he probably won't.

 

[icefire]

Nah, this is what will happen on Angliru

It's a pity Vacansoleil is leaving the sport. They could have signed Horner to have a GT contender next season

 

[murali]

Is there any graphic for the cat 2 climb?


I noticed it is less than 50 km from the finish, with about 14 km of descent. Can this allow a long range attack from the cat 2 climb?

Also, how nasty is the ramp before the official start of climb?

Will it be 4th in a row for breakaway?


Purito FTW

 

[icefire]

Is there any graphic for the cat 2 climb?


I noticed it is less than 50 km from the finish, with about 14 km of descent. Can this allow a long range attack from the cat 2 climb?

Also, how nasty is the ramp before the official start of climb?

Will it be 4th in a row for breakaway?


Purito FTW

 

[murali]

thank you. So this can be used as a launchpad for an attack?

 

[icefire]

thank you. So this can be used as a launchpad for an attack?

Astana worked today to keep the break in check with Arroyo and Nieve @11min in GC. And Nibali jumped on Purito's wheel in Peyresourde even if he's at 3min. So I don't think Astana will let anyone go tomorrow unless they're spent from today's effort. If they do, I'm sure Vino will chase from the team car

 

[murali]

i am just surprised how vino stays in the team car. looking at lollipops like this, he must be itching to get back on his bike

 

[jsem94]

Most likely outcome is a big yawn.

 

[il_cobra]

looks like another breackaway win

and maybe last chance to steal KOM jersey from horner

 

[il_cobra]

Yeah, I was going to say. Crappy uphill seemingly unnecesary finish just after the big mountain stages. Looks a bit like a stage last year.

Thing is though Fuente de was 1 in a million. Goes against everything modern cycling represents. I cant see another one happening in the next decade yet alone the year after.

stage to pajares 2005 was happened right behind cunego win at trento 2004
and yeah, there was morzine at 2006

just saying

 

[Eshnar]

stage to pajares 2005 was happened right behind cunego win at trento 2004
and yeah, there was morzine at 2006

just saying

you mean Falzes?

 

[The Hitch]

Was there a problem with the broadcasting on Pahares in 2005? Because I remember Murito saying last year after Fuente de that it was a shame the cameras didn't catch the Contador attack just like Heras on Pahares in 2005.

 

[Billie]

Was there a problem with the broadcasting on Pahares in 2005? Because I remember Murito saying last year after Fuente de that it was a shame the cameras didn't catch the Contador attack just like Heras on Pahares in 2005.

Heavy rains

 

[Descender]

Was there a problem with the broadcasting on Pahares in 2005? Because I remember Murito saying last year after Fuente de that it was a shame the cameras didn't catch the Contador attack just like Heras on Pahares in 2005.

Yep, same problem. Attack happened before there were live pictures.

It's Pajares btw.

 

[SafeBet]

Ulissi from the break.

 

[The Hitch]

Yep, same problem. Attack happened before there were live pictures.

It's Pajares btw.

Oops, I always wrote pajares, don't know why i used h this time.

Anyway I was wondering because ITV said yesterday was "almost the greatest Vuelta stage you never saw" and I was thinking if Pajares 2005 wouldn't hold that honour.