2013 Vuelta a España, Stage 3: Vigo - Mirador de Lobeira 184.8 Km

[Netserk]

2013 Vuelta a España, Stage 3: Vigo - Mirador de Lobeira 184.8 Km

Profile:

Map:

Final kms:

Map of final:

 

[Netserk]

GC:

Weather:

Weather: There will be sunny weather in all the journey again with clear sky.

Winds: Wind will be light at general, but rather strong on the coastal road stretches. It will blow Northeasterly in all journey. The wind will be from variable directions for the cyclists because this very variable journey, sometimes contrary, sometimes favourable for the cyclists and sometimes from both sides.

Temperatures: Mild temperatures in this day. They will oscillate between 24ºC and 26ºC.

 

[murali]

How tough is that final climb?

is it possible for someone, say j-rod, to attack at the base of the climb and win the stage?

 

[Netserk]

How tough is that final climb?

is it possible for someone, say j-rod, to attack at the base of the climb and win the stage?

No. It's mostly between 5 and 8 % and eases off in the final like today.

 

[murali]

meersman? capecci? gilbert?

 

[Netserk]

Due to his knee, I doubt Gilbert will be able to win.

Unlike today I don't think anyone will get away in the final, but that it will end in a sprint, so my pick is Valverde.

EDIT: Perhaps Mollema will be able to compete as well.

 

[Wallenquist]

It won't be a reduced sprint. Most probably a late attack with less than 1km to go. Prefers Stybar over Meersman i guess, Gilbert might play a role here together with Mollema and Valverde.

 

[MatParker117]

Not ruling out Eddy Bos here. How steep was that hill in the tour last year which he was second to Sagan on?

 

[Netserk]

Not ruling out Eddy Bos here. How steep was that hill in the tour last year which he was second to Sagan on?

That one was much shorter. Not really comparable.

 

[murali]

any chance for cancellara? i thought he did very well in the opening stage, and might be just peeking

 

[Netserk]

any chance for cancellara? i thought he did very well in the opening stage, and might be just peeking

None at all. The day after should suit him better, but I still doubt he would do anything there.

 

[roundabout]

Praying for crosswinds

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

The race goes over this bridge twice tomorrow, and the forecast is for 20km/h crosswinds.

OPQS do your thing.

 

[Netserk]

The race goes over this bridge twice tomorrow, and the forecast is for 20km/h crosswinds.

OPQS do your thing.

A shame they've put that loop just south of the finish in there

 

[Anderis]

Dan Martin FTW.

 

[SafeBet]

Will Valverde find a way to **** this up again?
In case he does, I tip ulissi for the win. Positioning will be crucial in the last climb. Today Ulissi wanted to go earlier but was behind plenty of riders and there was no room to overtake them.
Styby is another guy who could do well.

Hoping for crosswinds obviously.

 

[Netserk]

I hope the finish is resurfaced. This is from 2011 and the road is very narrow:

EDIT:

This is from where they go from the steeper part to the easier part (Left is the road they would take if they continued on the steep part, right is the direction they take which is the easy part):

 

[manafana]

valverde should be involved but plenty talent in this field to push him. Ulissi, Rodriguez, Mollema, Uran all strike me to do well.

 

[maltiv]

Not ruling out Eddy Bos here. How steep was that hill in the tour last year which he was second to Sagan on?

That was barely a kilometre. He has done well on finishes like this before, for instance in Dauphine last year, but I think he needs a couple of days more in his legs before he'll be able to contest for the victory.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Guess who?

But this could easily be a break. Plenty of riders are already way down and Astana will likely not chase.

 

[hfer07]

Scarponi to try something on that last bump

 

[plooton]

Zdenda Štybar breaking away some 10 K to go

 

[Afrank]

Thinking Ulissi ftw.

 

[jens_attacks]

ivan basso ftw!

i guess movistar will make it today, valverde's first win

 

[SafeBet]

Guess who?

But this could easily be a break. Plenty of riders are already way down and Astana will likely not chase.

But Movistar will likely chase and so will other teams. I doubt the break can make it.