2013 Vuelta a España, Stage 18: Burgos-Peña Cabarga (186.5 km)

[Maaaaaaaarten]

If Jrod is at his strongest these final mountain stages again, that's just crazy! He started his season in San Luis peaking for the Ardennes, only to peak for the third week of both the TDF and the Vuelta?

That's some crazy form level throughout the season. Last year was insane as well, but as least he had a break from Giro till Vuelta prep races back then, now it's back to back GT's......

 

[Asturiano]

According to the reports of TVE, Cadena SER and more, this stage is a good one to create a good spectacle befor the last climb but you know they depend on the cyclist.

 

[Museeuw]

...

That's some crazy form level throughout the season. Last year was insane as well, but as least he had a break from Giro till Vuelta prep races back then, now it's back to back GT's......

Isn't it quite similar to Valverde's last season; showed some form at end of TDF and then good Vuelta? Except this hasn't been so marvelous Vuelta to Purito so far...

 

[Netserk]

Isn't it quite similar to Valverde's last season; showed some form at end of TDF and then good Vuelta? Except this hasn't been so marvelous Vuelta to Purito so far...

And that Valverde got a stage win from a breakaway, whereas Purito was the third strongest climber in the race and got on the podium.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Isn't it quite similar to Valverde's last season; showed some form at end of TDF and then good Vuelta? Except this hasn't been so marvelous Vuelta to Purito so far...

Except Jrod ended on the podium because he dropped everybody except Quintana last week of this TDF; including Froome.

My being impressed was is also for the hypothetical situation that Jrod continues these last three mountain stages like he ended the Pyrrennees a few days ago. So it still remains to be seen whether Jrods peak is as long as I suggested it might be.

 

[Netserk]

Except Jrod ended on the podium because he dropped everybody except Quintana last week of this TDF; including Froome.

My being impressed was is also for the hypothetical situation that Jrod continues these last three mountain stages like he ended the Pyrrennees a few days ago. So it still remains to be seen whether Jrods peak is as long as I suggested it might be.

And he will probably still be in super form at the Worlds and Lombardia.

 

[SafeBet]

This is where Nibali will win the Vuelta.

Not sure he will win it, but this is clearly the stage where he can win it. It's perfect for him if he's recovered from last weekend and I believe he will try to drop everybody on Pena cabarga after making the race hard the whole stage. Team looked good yesterday and should be able to support him.
I don't believe Purito can be the strongest climber in this third week. Can't hold his peak for forever and can't peak at will every month.

Nibali should be back to strength here and not lose time. Horner needs to stay with Nibs on the next 2 stages and then make him pay on the 3rd and final mountain stage on Saturday where Nibali has a tendency to suffer after 2 tough stages before.

Exactly. And that's why Nibs will try to gain time here. If he has one minute before Saturdays stage he should be fine.


Plenty of riders will fight to be in the break but teams will start looking at the GC and protect their top10 placement. Hard to see a strong break going away.

 

[SafeBet]

Netserk you lazy ***, time to make this thread sticky

 

[trevim]

Egoi Martinez (Euskaltel-Euskadi), Simon Clarke (Orica), Chris Anker Sörensen (Saxo), Ben Gastauer (Ag2R), Amets Txurruka (Caja Rural), Vasil Kiryienka (Sky), Caleb Fairly (Carmin), Matteo Bono (Lampre-Merida), Adam Hansen (Lotto), Tiziano Dallantonia (Cannondale), Mikael Cherel (AG2R), Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg (Argos), Martin Kohler (BMC), Angel Vicioso (Katusha) y Grega Bole (Vacansoleil).

30 seconds ahead of the peloton. Cofidis and Movistar chasing.

 

[Netserk]

Netserk you lazy ***, time to make this thread sticky

Tbh I almost only use the 'New Posts', so I don't really notice which threads are sticky

 

[trevim]

Egoi Martinez (Euskaltel-Euskadi), Simon Clarke (Orica), Chris Anker Sörensen (Saxo), Ben Gastauer (Ag2R), Amets Txurruka (Caja Rural), Vasil Kiryienka (Sky), Caleb Fairly (Carmin), Matteo Bono (Lampre-Merida), Adam Hansen (Lotto), Tiziano Dallantonia (Cannondale), Mikael Cherel (AG2R), Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg (Argos), Martin Kohler (BMC), Angel Vicioso (Katusha) y Grega Bole (Vacansoleil).

30 seconds ahead of the peloton. Cofidis and Movistar chasing.

And there they go, 3:30 ahead.

 

[Arredondo]

If this group stays away, i hope Amets will finaly get his reward after years of attacking.

 

[icefire]

Not sure he will win it, but this is clearly the stage where he can win it. It's perfect for him if he's recovered from last weekend and I believe he will try to drop everybody on Pena cabarga after making the race hard the whole stage. Team looked good yesterday and should be able to support him.
I don't believe Purito can be the strongest climber in this third week. Can't hold his peak for forever and can't peak at will every month.


Exactly. And that's why Nibs will try to gain time here. If he has one minute before Saturdays stage he should be fine.


Plenty of riders will fight to be in the break but teams will start looking at the GC and protect their top10 placement. Hard to see a strong break going away.

Purito doesn't need to peek every month. As in the Tour, he only needs to peak on Thursdays and Saturdays

 

[RedheadDane]

If this group stays away, i hope Amets will finaly get his reward after years of attacking.

Yeah, me too... sorta.
But then there's this other guy in the break.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Amets is crazy I think there's only like two stage he hasn't attacked in. And it's damn hard to attack in team and individual time trials!

 

[Dedelou]

Yeah, me too... sorta.
But then there's this other guy in the break.

I bet that "other guy" is there on a not so "secret" mission on behalf on that french/Irish guy

 

[greenedge]

Horner, Pinot or JROD for the win is my view.

 

[RedheadDane]

I bet that "other guy" is there on a not so "secret" mission on behalf on that french/Irish guy

Obviously that "French/Irish guy" is gonna attack from the favourite-pack, jumping through the remains of the - by the shattered - attack group, before catching up with that "other guy" who'll then help him take time on his GC rivals and be gifted the win for his hard work!

 

[aarnold517]

Amets in the last four years has finished the vuelta in: 29th, 30th, 30th, and 30th

This year he stands 26th, amets keep the streak alive!

 

[trevim]

Amets in the last four years has finished the vuelta in: 29th, 30th, 30th, and 30th

This year he stands 26th, amets keep the streak alive!

He's a De Greef of 30th place!

 

[Dedelou]

Obviously that "French/Irish guy" is gonna attack from the favourite-pack, jumping through the remains of the - by the shattered - attack group, before catching up with that "other guy" who'll then help him take time on his GC rivals and be gifted the win for his hard work!

and the band will play on in the background as they cross the line. (wiping a tear off my left eye)

 

[alspacka]

I'm hoping Pinot can pull a rabbit out the hat. Suspect stage will disappoint and favourites will come in more or less together.

 

[alspacka]

Either that or someone like Uran or maybe Konig to go very early.

 

[Ferminal]

Peloton seems to have started chasing? Was almost a done deal.

 

[jens_attacks]

well both movistar and katusha are forced to chase normally. even horner should put his team to chase. every (bonus) second counts