2014 Volta Catalunya stage 3: Banyoles › La Molina 162.9 Km

[the sceptic]

2014 Volta Catalunya stage 3: Banyoles › La Molina 162.9 Km

ALT DE COUBET (P.M. 1ª Cat.). 10km, avg. 5.5%, max 10%
ALT DE LA CREUETA (P.M. Cat. Especial) "Cima Peris". 21km, avg. 4.5%, max 9%
LA MOLINA (ALP) (P.M. 1ª Cat.). 5.3km, avg. 6%, max 8%

 

[bassplayer88]

Dont think Wiggins is in Catalunya but the weather his meant to be horrible tommorow so I've voted for him as a true outsider...

But seriously, I hope the weather does not effect the action, this should be great

 

[the sceptic]

Dont think Wiggins is in Catalunya but the weather his meant to be horrible tommorow so I've voted for him as a true outsider

I know.. just couldnt resist putting him in the poll.

Contador to win after dropping the Dawg.

 

[Poursuivant]

Is there any chance they will take any of the climbs out due to the weather??

 

[jsem94]

How many DNS in the peloton tomorrow? I'm guessing something like 20% of the peloton minimum if they actually race the final hill and the conditions are rainy and windy.

 

[Publicus]

Going with the Dawg to continue his domination of his fellow GC riders

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Betancur will take full advantage of his extra layer of insulation.

 

[manafana]

thanks sceptic for opening the new stage thread homework time sounds like we get a full stage anyway

 

[Jspear]

I know.. just couldnt resist putting him in the poll.

Contador to win after dropping the Dawg.

I second that.
It will be interesting to see what happens tomorrow. Hopefully they race hard. There is really know way of knowing where Froome stands in comparison to Contador(or any of the climbers). Also it will be interesting to see how worn Contador is from Tirreno.

 

[icefire]

Weather forecast doesn't look good:

http://en.eltiempo.es/la-molina/

 

[Tournesol]

Purito type conditions if he has the form.

 

[karlboss]

Betancur will take full advantage of his extra layer of insulation.

C'mon fats.

Seriously scary how well this guy rides even carrying some extra kgs.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Coll de la Creueta:

Suspect this is the finish:

 

[Afrank]

Hoping to see some Colombian domination, with Quintana taking the win.

But think it will probably end up being Froome v. Contador. Will be interesting to see who comes out on top in their first head-to-head of 2014.

 

[Orbit501]

What, no Arredondo in the poll

 

[Pulpstar]

Cold spanish mountains -

WIGGINS NAILED ON !

 

[whittashau]

Can't imagine froomedawg doing much in the forecasted conditions. I'm going to predict Betancur for the win. His extra fudge will come in handy.

 

[VeloHuman]

One would think Froome's ability to power up hills without leaving the saddle would make him a better bike rider when the rain starts falling and traction gets harder to find. One would think. It has yet to appear this way in reality.

 

[the sceptic]

at least there wont be a skytrain for this stage. I assume Dawg will be pretty much alone from la creueta.

 

[togo95]

Coll de la Creueta:

This is a different way up, at least the first half, but I couldn't find a decent profile of the climb from Gombrèn.

 

[spanky wanderlust]

wiggins wins if froomy gets dropped off the back.

not gonna happen but you know brad would love it.

 

[Jspear]

at least there wont be a skytrain for this stage. I assume Dawg will be pretty much alone from la creueta.

Why won't there be a sky train for this stage?

 

[the sceptic]

Why won't there be a sky train for this stage?

Siutsou and Lopez havent showed any super domestique form this year. Edmondson, Pate and Earle.. well.. not exactly imagining them doing 450w for an hour.

Then theres Nieve who might be able contribute a little bit. But this team pretty much sucks, so Froome will need to win this on his own. (which he could very well do of course if he is in alien form)

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Arredondo from a late attack. I think the finish suits him well and after losing 33 seconds yesterday, he should be eager to get back into contention today.

 

[Christian]

Arredondo from a late attack. I think the finish suits him well and after losing 33 seconds yesterday, he should be eager to get back into contention today.

He also has health and intestinal problems, he announced on twitter