2014 Vuelta a España, Stage 2: Algeciras → San Fernando (174.4 km)

[Geraint Too Fast]

2014 Vuelta a España, Stage 2: Algeciras → San Fernando (174.4 km)

Final km's

Unfortunatley, it doesn't look like the wind is going to play ball.

 

[JRTK73]

Should be a stage for Bouhanni or maybe Degenkolb.

 

[Helvellyn]

Should be a stage for Bouhanni or maybe Degenkolb.

The way Bouhanni was pacing his teammate back on in the TTT, I've got a feeling he'll be on a blinder today, even if the bumpy finish might suit Degenkolb slightly better on paper.

 

[manafana]

its just a bump though so bouhanni a very tricky man to beat here.

 

[ILovecycling]

Giant 1st win.Hopefuly Degenkolb.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

with 10s on the line, this is a fairly big chance for a couple of sprinters to grab Red.

Sagan, Matthews and Stuyven.

Other than that, the bump in the morning will give somebody a trip to the podium in the afternoon. I hope they record that morning action and play it during the dullness of the flat part later in the day.

 

[SafeBet]

Guardini to stun the world here.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

wind?

.............

 

[Netserk]

wind?

.............

Check the OP.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Check the OP.

I can't find what speed or direction I'm unfamiliar with how it's done in english

 

[Netserk]

I can't find what speed or direction I'm unfamiliar with how it's done in english

Eastern wind in the first half and variable in the second half. Wind strongest in the beginning.

 

[jens_attacks]

the pharaoh nacer first win today

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Probably the most interesting part of the race will be to see who sprints for the mountains points. Wind needs to pick up in the second half to give us any fun, I fear.

 

[Coat-O]

Although he is not the fastest, I think Sagan will take the win.

How many bonus seconds gets the winner? He could take the jersey today.

 

[Alcanelo]

Cmon Guardini!!

 

[l.Harm]

Degenkolb vs Bouhanni for the win. Sagan second.

 

[Dr. Juice]

In a head to head, I see Guardini at least as fast as Bouhanni, even stronger if he is in top form. But he is not a master of positioning.

174 km completely flat...it won't take any of the blistering power away that Guardini possesses. I go with Guardini.

 

[Dr. Juice]

8/1 is not bad for Guardini. Bouhanni has 2.75 .

 

[icefire]

Knowing the dominant wind direction in that region, this stage should have been raced in the opposite direction. Nevertheless, main wind direction for the last part of the stage is from sea to land, and that's mostly sideways as they race around the Bay of Cádiz. Let's hope the strength and the unprotected areas are enough.

Edit: wind speed around 18 km/h today at 17:00 in Cádiz

http://www.eltiempo.es/viento/

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Bouhanni:

"Winning one stage would be a good start, but obviously, if you win one, you want two, and if you get two, you want a third and so on," Bouhanni said. "But if I could win at least one stage, I'd be happy."

From article on CN: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/bouhanni-looks-to-sign-off-on-fdj-career-on-a-high

 

[the sceptic]

Sagan, Bling and Degenkolb to fight for the bonus seconds. Bouhanni for the stage.

 

[jens_attacks]

txurruka to take the mountain point and get himself in a solo escape i guess

 

[ILovecycling]

In a head to head, I see Guardini at least as fast as Bouhanni, even stronger if he is in top form. But he is not a master of positioning.

174 km completely flat...it won't take any of the blistering power away that Guardini possesses. I go with Guardini.

Interesting,good point.I wonder if Guardini will position himself,but it should be more interesting than giro sprints

 

[Jspear]

Sagan, Bling and Degenkolb to fight for the bonus seconds. Bouhanni for the stage.

This exactly....

 

[Arredondo]

Break of the day:

Javier ARAMENDIA (Caja)
Jacques VAN RENSBURG (MTN)
Kristian SBARAGLI (MTN)
Valerio CONTI (Lampre)
Romain HARDY (Cofidis)
Nathan HAAS (Garmin)

They have a gap of 2.25 on the peloton.

Sbaragli is on the front, so they are going for Ciolek today.