2014 Vuelta a Espana, Stage 12: Logroño → Logroño (166 Km)

[Dr. Juice]

And today's lucky rider is Krizek. Holds a lead of 3:25 after a few kms.
Not even the locals wants to be in the break today.

If they continue like that, they will arrive at 7 CET.
If the sprinters don't go for the intermediate sprints - and I doubt it - Valverde will suck another couple of seconds on each sprint.

After the stage, Contador will have no more than 16 seconds.

EDIT: Tinkoff should send Bennati with Contador, just in case Valverde goes for the seconds.

 

[roosters76]

This is where Sagan starts taking it seriously. The circuit has hints of similarities to the Worlds' later this month. Ideally(for training purposes)though, much easier, this one.
If Sagan doesn't show his class today, his season is over and will haunt him mentally for years to come.

 

[Netserk]

Tinkoff should send two riders to join the break and then let them fall back after the intermediate (coming up shortly).

 

[Pricey_sky]

Bouhanni to win.

And more pertinent question, WHERE is Cavendish??? This is the first year since 2007 he has not won a GT stage.

He wasn't fit enough to start the Vuelta after his shoulder op, plus he chose to skip the Giro so he could prepare fully for the Tour. Unfortunately for him that did not turn out too good.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Krizek dropped back. Good man.

Sprint coming up in 15km or so.

 

[roosters76]

Krizek dropped back. Good man.

Sprint coming up in 15km or so.

He has 6:25m on peloton at 34km

 

[Dazed and Confused]

He has 6:25m on peloton at 34km

ah ok, misunderstanding.

already on the 2nd

 

[stetre76]

now he's 7:25 ahead and the average speed dropped to 33.4 km/h

I think Krizek should go as fast as he can, even though he has no chance to survive...but he still hasn't got a contract for next year, so he can use this self-PR quite a bit

 

[Swifty's Cakes]

average speed 32.7 km/h according to lavuelta.com and the peloton are going even slower 6 minutes back on the breakaway rider, can that be right?. They might as well call it a rest day and just let Bouhani and Kittel ride the last could of kilometers for the points.

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

There's going be a clash with the Tour of Alberta if they carry on at this rate...

 

[Pricey_sky]

There's going be a clash with the Tour of Alberta if they carry on at this rate...

I have a night shift starting in 8 hours and I was hoping to get a nap in first!

 

[roosters76]

ah ok, misunderstanding.

already on the 2nd

It's all "clear" now, it's a fine, fine wine.

 

[theyoungest]

The Logroño city council has once again paid to see the most boring stage of the year in their city

 

[BeagRigh]

I assume absolutely nothing happened at the first sprint?

Edit:

1. Matthias KRIZEK (68)
2. Nacer BOUHANNI (91)
3. Michael Valgren ANDERSEN (202)

Bouhanni interested in Green?

Not sure there is enough stages left for him or Degenkolk to stop Valverde or Contandor taking that:

1. DEGENKOLB, J. GIA 87
2. BOUHANNI, N. FDJ 74
3. MATTHEWS, M. OGE 71
4. VALVERDE, A. MOV 64
5. CONTADOR, A. TCS 56

 

[DJ Sprtsch]

1º Matthias KRIZEK (68)
2º Nacer BOUHANNI (91)
3º Michael Valgren ANDERSEN (202)

 

[l.Harm]

Degenkolb's said he's not interested in the green jersey

 

[wirral]

Murilo FISCHER (93), another teammate of Nacer BOUHANNI (91)'s, was seen at his team car with scratches on his buttock.

 

[sultanofhyd]

Degenkolb's said he's not interested in the green jersey

Why not? It's there for the taking...

 

[l.Harm]

Why not? It's there for the taking...

I don't know, priority is Barguil's GC apparently. Vuelta website.

 

[Arnout]

I don't know, priority is Barguil's GC apparently. Vuelta website.

He's riding for a Giant rider? Interesting.

I'd say he realizes that it's probably impossible for a sprinter to get the jersey, but at the same time if he can score a few points in an intermediate sprint with nearly zero effort, why not?

 

[wirral]

The French team manager is impressed by Bouhanni : "He is super-motivated for the end of the season. He's an impressive temper."

 

[shalgo]

He's riding for a Giant rider? Interesting.

If you read the previous posts, that comment was about why Degenkolb is not riding for green.

 

[wirral]

Also, Degenkolb, interviewed very early on in the race, stated his belief it is nigh on impossible for a sprinter to win the points jersey at the Vuelta the way the course is designed and the points are scored.

 

[search]

Also, Degenkolb, interviewed very early on in the race, stated his belief it is nigh on impossible for a sprinter to win the points jersey at the Vuelta the way the course is designed and the points are scored.

that's what he said, yes, but two more wins in those sprint stages would mean Valverde, Contador or Purito would need to make up ~70-80 points on the remaining stages - which is possible of course, but far from certain with the usually high amount of breakaways making it to the end (which Degenkolb or Matthews could join as well and thereby score points)

 

[BeagRigh]

Avg. speed 35.7 Km/h. Everyone saving a lot of energy, I have a feeling the end of the stage is going to be hectic!