2013 Vuelta a España, Stage 4: Lalín/a Estrada - Fisterra 189 Km

[Netserk]

2013 Vuelta a España, Stage 4: Lalín/a Estrada - Fisterra 189 Km

Map:

Profile:

Map of Final:

Profile of Final:

 

[Netserk]

Profile of Mirador de Èzaro (was the finishing climb in stage 12 last year) with 34.4 km to go:

Finish:

GC (top 20):

Weather:

Weather: There will be sunny weather in almost all the stage, with some clouds in the latest km only.

Winds: Wind will be light on the first half of the journey increasing to rather strong wind on the second half. It will blow Northeasterly wind everywhere being favourable and from right side in almost all the journey for the cyclists alternately.

Temperatures: Mild temperatures between 22ºC at the start and 26ºC as the highest value.

 

[jens_attacks]

will anyone attack on the brutal mirador de ezaro(1,8 km@14%)? that's the question i guess...i would like igor anton and/or samu but 30 kms....

 

[hrotha]

Yay, more of the same!

 

[hfer07]

I hope this time around the Breakaway will make it to the finish line. Some EE folks should take the initiative

 

[Netserk]

One of the few well designed stages in this Vuelta.

 

[Arnout]

Yay, more of the same!

Actually the finishing kick isn't nearly long or steep enough for the likes of Valverde. Should be a sprint, were it not for the hill with 35km to go. I'd say this is stage is quite unpredictable, certainly by Vuelta standards.

 

[Netserk]

Actually the finishing kick isn't nearly long or steep enough for the likes of Valverde. Should be a sprint, were it not for the hill with 35km to go. I'd say this is stage is quite unpredictable, certainly by Vuelta standards.

Indeed. One of the few stages where the hardest part isn't in the last 5 kms...

 

[Netserk]

From what I can see, there will be a medium strong head/crosswind on Èzaro

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Hell of alot of terrain to make a race on this stage. If this ends in a group ride and some sprinting in the end, the riders will carry the blame.

Anyway in case of a long controlled group ride this man will shine:

 

[SafeBet]

Not a bad profile at all. Hoping Euskaltel will try something on Mirador de Ezaro.

 

[Jancouver]

If any dangerous rider gets away on Mirador, Cancellara and his Shack boys have 30km to bring it back otherwise they may let it go so the break can swallow the time bonuses.

 

[Gugashwill]

The success of a breakaway will probably depend on Leopard's desire to keep the jersey.
That wall 30 or so kilometers from the finish could serve like a breakaway thinner, but the bunch should have the final word.

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Lulu.

.....

 

[manafana]

prehaps ll sanchez indeed been talked up, meersmann has chance too surely

 

[Ferminal]

If a decent break goes they should survive as the peloton will probably activate sprint stage go-slow protocols for Ezaro.

 

[saneguy]

Shack boys probably wont chase the break. They are happy to let the breakaway eat the time bonuses. But I feel the GC guys may not make big moves on this climb. 30 kms is a bit long for any of the GC guys to hold off the peleton and win.

The stage design makes it unpredictable to actually chalk out the winning strategy. Nice

 

[Red Rick]

I seriously doubt a big bunch will be together after ezaro. There's not much drag when climbing at 25%, so even when the big guns take it fairly easy most dom's won't be able to follow. Not to mention everyone wants to be on front on the 30% part cause riders than can't make it by bike will block the road.

I think a fairly small group will get over the wall together, after which some non gc guy's can attack while dom's and sprinters are dropped, so nobody will chase them for a while.

 

[Netserk]

I seriously doubt a big bunch will be together after ezaro. There's not much drag when climbing at 25%, so even when the big guns take it fairly easy most dom's won't be able to follow. Not to mention everyone wants to be on front on the 30% part cause riders than can't make it by bike will block the road.

I think a fairly small group will get over the wall together, after which some non gc guy's can attack while dom's and sprinters are dropped, so nobody will chase them for a while.

Yeah it could be like in Flemish classics. Strong pace towards the climb for position, and weaker pace on the climb itself.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

I'll go for Nocentini as an outsider again

 

[WillemS]

I hope this time around the Breakaway will make it to the finish line. Some EE folks should take the initiative

This might be something to wish for, but I don't think a break will make it. OPQS, for one, will chase it down to make sure Meersman gets his chance. Do not forget that the OPQS team's got some experience in chasing down break-aways this year.

 

[barmaher]

I think it will be too tough for riders like Meersman today. I wouldn't be surprised if the contenders from Sunday and yesterday were in the mix again today.

I have closed my eyes, stuck a pin into a list of riders, and come up with Leopold Konig for the win.

 

[Arredondo]

Nice stage though, could be interesting.

I expect a attack from Sammy and maybe Henao on the Mirador, but guys like Meersman and Ratto wil survive.

 

[Euskaltel!]

Any team gonna try and put someone in the break for the 30k after the wall? Could be useful.

 

[jens_attacks]

true and mosquera is not that old after all...