2014 Volta a Catalunya, Stage 2: Mataro → Girona (171.2 Kms)

[Afrank]

ALT DE CAN BORDOI (P.M. 3ª Cat.). 2.8km, avg. 5.3%, max 7%
ALT DE SANTA PELLAIA (P.M. 2ª Cat.). 5.9km, avg 4%, max 6%

 

[Jspear]

It would be nice to see Howard win if it's a bunch sprint.

 

[the sceptic]

well.. surely someone will attack on that last little bump. Unless its a lot less steep than it looks on the profile.

I guess ill go with Lulu again.

 

[Jspear]

well.. surely someone will attack on that last little bump. Unless its a lot less steep than it looks on the profile.

I guess ill go with Lulu again.

I personally don't like these profile pictures as much....they do seem to make things look steeper than they actually are.

Afrank I apprectiate you putting the distances and gradiants for the mountains....it helps.

 

[Afrank]

Afrank I apprectiate you putting the distances and gradiants for the mountains....it helps.

Those I am getting via Wallenquist in the thread for the whole race he created. So credit to him for that info.

 

[manafana]

going by the profile they just look like longer slight steeper drags, just estimate but for first hill about 12km with 135metres of climbing so not even 2% but who knows with these weird profiles, it might well be these are just flattish roads before a kick which could be attacked im backing on a sprint

 

[gooner]

Well Dan Martin was on the paper over here on Sunday singling out this stage as one to target. That last climb must have a suitable gradient for him to say that.

 

[manafana]

Well Dan Martin was on the paper over here on Sunday singling out this stage as one to target. That last climb must have a suitable gradient for him to say that.

lots of riders based in the area so interesting, only thing I have is in 2012 albasini won a stage into girona here.

 

[VeloHuman]

Bookmakers seem to be thinking another bunch sprint. That profile looks hillier than it really is I think. Still, maybe there is a late attack and some of the heavier guys get dropped trying to stay on. Dumoulin? Luis Leon Sanchez? Anthony Roux? If it's a bunch sprint it's probably down to Mezgec v. Howard again.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Solid design of a flat stage. Lots of opportunities for different type of riders, that is if they care to race today.

Otherwise Mezgec again.

 

[happytramp]

reduced sprint or a someone to get away on the last climb and hang on maybe?

 

[Netserk]

Dat hilly final

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Yep, coupled with the morning climb (strong break hopefully) should give us lots of options for a winner. But it requires racing, not just the typical waiting game and a sprint in the end.

 

[hfer07]

will Thomas De Gendt bother doing something? Will Samu Sanchez give it a go?
Will Voeckler intent a move?

Will Betancur destroy the field today

 

[barmaher]

Have a look at the profile from Netserk. Sprint very, very likely.

 

[Netserk]

will Thomas De Gendt bother doing something? Will Samu Sanchez give it a go?
Will Voeckler intent a move?

Will Betancur destroy the field today

Today we will see the contenders for the Ardennes classics

 

[jens_attacks]

froomey to solo last 20 kms.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

ok, break gone with 2 minutes or so:

16 BELKOV, Maxim (RUS/Karusha)
105 KOCH, Michel (GER/Cannondale)
151 VOECKLER, Thomas (FRA/Europcar)
193 MARCZYNSKI, Tomasz (POL/CCC Polsat)
197 RUTKIEWICZ, Marek (POL/CCC Polsat)
212 BAUGNIES, Jérôme (BEL/Wanty)

Somewhat good combination. Should bring the pace up overall.

Go tongue man.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Yay Voeckler in the break

 

[Netserk]

froomey to solo last 20 kms.

He will need his best climbing form for that

 

[ILovecycling]

Tommie and his tongue are back!
Belkov is strong contender too.

 

[Netserk]

Soundtrack for the stage highlights!

 

[jens_attacks]

allez chouchou!!

 

[barmaher]

Have the riders acclimatised for this challenge? Such a rollercoaster finale, with massive changes in altitude in the final 30k is likely to wreak havoc with hct levels in the riders' blood.

 

[Lexman]

from Trek Twitter : Danilo Hondo didn't start this morning in #VoltaCatalunya due to a combo of bronchitis & sinusitis