2013 Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco, Stage 3 Vitoria Gasteiz - Trapagan 167.7 km

[Miburo]

The final category 2 climb Alto de la Lejana (7,4km, 5,74%) will be the site of the first selection among the overall contenders. The climb is highly irregular and even interrupted by a small descent and a km of almost completely flat roads, and the difference will probably only be made in the last 400 meters. With an average gradient of 21%, this final stretch is, however, the perfect stomping ground for explosive, punchy climbers, and there is little doubt that gaps will open up on this short, very difficult stretch.

Will Porte win? With how many minutes?

Is this the first time the vino-option is the most legit?

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Velasco....tassie tree hugger wont win.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

it's like a steep wall finish right? How is Porte gonna win that.....

 

[Miburo]

it's like a steep wall finish right? How is Porte gonna win that.....

Funny man

 

[luckyboy]

I will stop watching cycling if Porte wins this

 

[Zam_Olyas]

I will stop watching cycling if Porte wins this

He will not.

 

[Ferminal]

Pieter Weening.

 

[luckyboy]

He will not.

Haha I know

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Weenings 59x10 gearing won't work on 21% sections

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Henao should take this, prefect for him.

Porte will strike in the TT event.

 

[Miburo]

Weenings 59x10 gearing won't work on 21% sections

Maybe sky can help him.

 

[theyoungest]

Weenings 59x10 gearing won't work on 21% sections

I think Weening has worked on his cadence/gearing, at least it seems that way. Not that he'll win tomorrow, he's not good enough for that (unless he escapes before that wall).

I'm curious about Slagter, haven't seen him on a wall since the Giro last year.

 

[luckyboy]

Henao should take this, prefect for him.

Porte will strike in the TT event.

Porte's gonna take back the time+bonus that Contador will get here in a hilly TT? hmm

 

[Contadoraus Schlecks]

Quintana maybe?

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I think Weening has worked on his cadence/gearing, at least it seems that way. Not that he'll win tomorrow, he's not good enough for that (unless he escapes before that wall).

I'm curious about Slagter, haven't seen him on a wall since the Giro last year.

The climb prior to the last 400m is too long for Slagter.

 

[Miburo]

Porte's gonna take back the time+bonus that Contador will get here in a hilly TT? hmm

there's no timebonus besides have you seen Porte's ITT in paris-nice?

2 years ago i would say Contador is unbeatable on this ITT but now with sky and contador's seemingly not great form...

 

[theyoungest]

The climb prior to the last 400m is too long for Slagter.

That depends, it doesn't look super hard on paper. Unless Contador goes all out, of course.

 

[Miburo]

That depends, it doesn't look super hard on paper. Unless Contador goes all out, of course.

I wouldn't worry about that i don't think he'll go before that. Although his team will try and destroy the field beforehand of course

 

[Roude Leiw]

Quintana looks quite good for this, seems very motivated, did not loose any time ftm. Should suit him. Perhaps Contador will look into new tactics, like staying in Portes wheel and then jump him

 

[jens_attacks]

voted one minute but won't happen of course

1.juanjo cobo
2.henao
3.quintana
4.contador
5.porte
6.rujano

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

The climb prior to the last 400m is too long for Slagter.

Depends on how hard they race I think. It's 6km at 5-7%, then a km flat, than a km at 5% + final 400 meters at 14%. If Sky or Saxo goes full with a train on the first part, than definitely too hard.

The climb doesn't seem very rewarding for long range attacks on first sight though, so who knows, if Slagter is lucky with how they race, he has a shot.

This would've been perfect for TGBM though. Wheelsuck Sky/Saxo for 6k, catch your breadth on the flat and outsprint them all, because there is no Valverde, Purito or Dan Martin to beat him. But alas, fate has decided that TGBM will never win. So the moment Purito and Valverde cancelled, we knew TGBM was gonna crash or get ill or something. He'd win otherwise. Not even Dan Martin - whose sole purpose is to end just in front of TGBM - is here.

Sucks for TGBM.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Depends on how hard they race I think. It's 6km at 5-7%, then a km flat, than a km at 5% + final 400 meters at 14%. If Sky or Saxo goes full with a train on the first part, than definitely too hard.

snipped...

Saxo and Sky will go full power on the first part, no doubt.

 

[togo95]

It looks harder than that according to this profile.

If Saxo wants to, there can be only small group fighting for the win on the final wall.

 

[Afrank]

Quintana..

 

[Cimber]

Depends on how hard they race I think. It's 6km at 5-7%, then a km flat, than a km at 5% + final 400 meters at 14%. If Sky or Saxo goes full with a train on the first part, than definitely too hard.

Ye those flat KMs will probably make the contenders wait for the last km to attack, but I do think Saxo and Sky will keep pace high from the bottom.

It doesnt suit Porte imo, but its not tailormade for Contador either. Henao (he wont be allowed) or Quintana in my opinion.

Would have been perfect for Valverde and Jrod if they had been in.