2014 Vuelta a España, Stage 15: Oviedo → Lagos de Covadonga (152Km)

[Eshnar]

I hope someone told Aru that at 1-2 kms to go there's actually a descent.
If he knows, I pick him ftw.

 

[roundabout]

Considering that it's the 20th time they are doing the climb since 1983 it shouldn't be a secret

19th, I can't count

 

[icefire]

Considering that it's the 20th time they are doing the climb since 1983 it shouldn't be a secret

It's not a secret, but some riders are dumb enough not to study the road before the race and then they attack at the wrong place. I still laugh recalling Contador's pointless attack in 2012 trying to open a gap on Purito just 200m before the second descent.

 

[Asturiano]

The new thing here is "Alto del Torno", it's not a real hard climb but the descent could be really complicated if it rains and it has some climbs that break the rythm.


ASTURIAN STAGES (WITH PHOTOS AND ALTIMETRIES):

http://39x28altimetrias.com/etapasasturianasvuelta2014.html

 

[Dr. Juice]

Lol at some of the Froome fans thinking he will drop everyone.

Tailwind on the last climb. Could be a fast ascent and attacks are easier than with headwind.
But I think tomorrow is not the stage for big action. Contador to control, some "testing" , then Purito or Aru with a serious attack ( or Froome if he doesn't lose contact) .
Contador reels them in. Then before the last descent Aru attacks again this time very hard, either Contador lets him go or jumps on his wheel and it'll be a 2-way fight
Maybe one or two out of Purito/Valverde/ Froome make it back and it'll be a sprint with a win from a fast guy.

 

[cineteq]

The only chance to beat Froome is to attack him from far off, if he's still there with 2-3 k to go he'll go mutant.

The easiest way is to destroy his power meter.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Don't see Froome going for a mutant attack. The only reason he did not lose time in today and on the last mountain stage was because of his pacing. Don't think he's good enough to attack very hard. It's the perfect way for him to actually lose a lot of time

Same was said before todays stage. Yet Froome gained time, so... break for the win, Froome dropping the rest with a small gap.

 

[Red Rick]

Same was said before todays stage. Yet Froome gained time, so... break for the win, Froome dropping the rest with a small gap.

Doesn't change the fact that today's climb was really all about pacing yourself, which Froome did perfectly while the Spanish were busy attacking each other and destroying themselves. The results exaggerate Froome's strenght because of this, even though he was certainly good today. There is a big difference between riding away from riders who blew themselves up on a 20% slope and riding away from riders who are focused on your wheel on a 10% slope. Also, Froome's form seems to fluctuate some more than others in this Vuelta

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Lol at some of the Froome fans thinking he will drop everyone.

Tailwind on the last climb. Could be a fast ascent and attacks are easier than with headwind.
But I think tomorrow is not the stage for big action. Contador to control, some "testing" , then Purito or Aru with a serious attack ( or Froome if he doesn't lose contact) .
Contador reels them in. Then before the last descent Aru attacks again this time very hard, either Contador lets him go or jumps on his wheel and it'll be a 2-way fight
Maybe one or two out of Purito/Valverde/ Froome make it back and it'll be a sprint with a win from a fast guy.

I like the following story better. Just more pep, more humour, and more detailed look into the future:

nope

Tomorrow he will drop them all one by one, until it is only him and AC left, he will then turn his head and say " I would drop you and take 5 min today, but my awesome fan VAE on the cyclingnews forum got you as his 1st on gc in the Foxxybrown game, so I wont".
They then proceed to reach the finishing line togheter. AC then has an epiphany that he has to lead Arus army in the battle of the giro/tour double in the of year 2015. He terminates his contract with Tinkoff and joins Astana as a superdomestique.
True story

 

[VeloHuman]

The gap to Contador on Stage 14 was small but hopefully Rodriguez and Froome smell blood and get motivated to make this stage exciting.

 

[movingtarget]

Rodriguez has to make some time on this stage to be in the mix later. I think he and Froome will beat Contador and Aru but not by much. Uran, Valverde and Sanchez to lose more time. The gains Uran has made in the TT seem to have been lost in his climbing. What a shame Quintana is not around for this stage.

 

[hfer07]

a breakaway will take the stage win while the main contenders start to watch each other until the Alien takes off and gains a few secs on Contador- nothing mayor UNLESS Aru unleashes his wrath and flies away

 

[damian13ster]

Break will be chased by katusha, Movistar and Sky. Rodriguez to win by outsprinting Valverde and Froome. Contador to come in 2-3 seconds biehind, Aru 10-15 seconds, and the rest over 30 seconds behind led by Dan Martin.

 

[yespatterns]

Aruuuuuuuuuu! Well, hopefully.

 

[Sasquatch]

So will Giant try and keep it together until the first sprint point, and maybe the second or will Degenkolb get himself into the break?

The jersey is nearly his, but surely they will try and pick up some points today.

A Break of 20+ riders will form and then will take it if they have 5 minutes at the base of the climb. If not, then Froome wins the stage.

 

[LaFlorecita]

So we've gone from "Contador will beat them all" to "Contador will get dropped by Rodriguez and Froome and Valverde and maybe Aru". Right. We shall see.

 

[Tournesol]

Froome mutant attack, wins the stage with 1:30. CN servers melt down.

A disgusting scenario.

 

[Tournesol]

So we've gone from "Contador will beat them all" to "Contador will get dropped by Rodriguez and Froome and Valverde and maybe Aru". Right. We shall see.

Your right,the predictions on this forum (especially during GT's i might add,seem to range from the sublime to the ridiculous). Its frigging nonsense talk.

 

[yespatterns]

So we've gone from "Contador will beat them all" to "Contador will get dropped by Rodriguez and Froome and Valverde and maybe Aru". Right. We shall see.

Nah, I still want Contie to take out all, but it's great to see talented young riders coming up. If aru can displace some of the old school, then all the better for the racing we enjoy so much.

 

[Sasquatch]

Kiryienka will win this from the break. Final climb suits his diesel engine.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Doesn't change the fact that today's climb was really all about pacing yourself, which Froome did perfectly while the Spanish were busy attacking each other and destroying themselves. The results exaggerate Froome's strenght because of this, even though he was certainly good today. There is a big difference between riding away from riders who blew themselves up on a 20% slope and riding away from riders who are focused on your wheel on a 10% slope. Also, Froome's form seems to fluctuate some more than others in this Vuelta

The few minutes of the end I saw seems like this is a good explanation. It is some other kind of Froome racing now.

I would not count Contador off the top spot yet.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Contador will get dropped by Rodriguez and Froome and Valverde and maybe Aru

 

[SafeBet]

Contador will get dropped by Rodriguez and Froome and Valverde and maybe Aru

Don't know about those three dudes but no doubt he will get dropped by Aru.

 

[LaFlorecita]

The few minutes of the end I saw seems like this is a good explanation. It is some other kind of Froome racing now.

I would not count Contador off the top spot yet.

I should bloody well think so!

 

[LaFlorecita]

A disgusting scenario.

It makes me sick to my stomach