2014 Vuelta a Espana, stage 18: A Estrada-Monte Castrove en Meis (157 km)

[Arredondo]

Breakaway, or the Spanish trio vs. Froome vs. the Italian Angel?

 

[BeagRigh]

Movistar to control so Valverde can take the bonus seconds. A strong headwind should help them.

 

[Arredondo]

Can someone tell me how i can get the picture of the 'mapa' in this thread?

I can't really explain the problem

 

[LaFlorecita]

Can someone tell me how i can get the picture of the 'mapa' in this thread?

I can't really explain the problem

Understand the problem you are probably on the official site?

http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/139149021-Vuelta-a-Espana

 

[Arredondo]

Understand the problem you are probably on the official site?

http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/139149021-Vuelta-a-Espana

A thx a lot!
Yes, i was looking for some hidden function
How could i forget PCS! I even visit it everyday

 

[R0BL4MBT0N]

climb seems more significant than i was led to believe. No more than 10 sec gaps tho i guess

 

[Flamin]

A Vuelta without Purito winning a stage just isn't right. Probably his last shot here, but it will be difficult to beat Valverde.

Hopefully the weather predictions come through.

 

[Jspear]

This is Valverde's and Jrod's best chance to gain time. It'll probably be between them....AC will be right behind them. Can't see him being distanced by any more than a second or two.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

I fear the bad weather will neutralize the descent action, leaving us with just the sprinting up the last climb.

Froome and Sky to lead out Contador again, but maybe J-Rod or Valverde can hang around and grab the stage win.

I think the stage is relatively easy to control to avoid a break going all the way, but you never know.

 

[Red Rick]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIRIAinJo0E

Without the part where the red jersey drops ofcourse

 

[Ruvu75]

If Valverde has his eyes set on the green jersey he will have to win this one.

 

[hfer07]

Valverde to do a Purito

 

[Arredondo]

Valverde to do a Purito

In what sense?

 

[kingjr]

In what sense?

Punch Phil Deignan in the face

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Punch Phil Deignan in the face

Would be more fair. Valverde and Deignan are about the same size. Deignan is a few kg heavier. Valverde is quite explosive though, maybe he can honour his reputation as a puncheur? I know Deignan apparently did some boxing in the past, but 'El Imbatido' sounds like a nick for a latin boxer right?

 

[Poursuivant]

What are the chances Froome and Sky go for broke on the first climb on Friday? Drill the train up the climb and drop all TS. Surely his best hope is to isolate Contador because I can't for the life of me see Contador dropping 1:40 on Saturday, and I really don't think Valverde and Rodriguez will try anything.

I will plump for Yates tomorrow.

 

[jens_attacks]

sky will control this for chris

results:

1.froome
2. contador +18
3. aru + 32
4. valverde + 38
5. purito + 38


fasten your seat belts cause it will be something like this _O_

 

[SeriousSam]

It would take mutantry of the highest order to get 18 seconds on this stage.

 

[PirazziAttacksVino]

This is Pity's terrain. He needs the bonus seconds to defend his 2nd place. It would take a highly motivated Froome to go mutant and not let Valverde hold out for the sprint.

 

[Gloin22]

Gesink leaves the Vuelta.

 

[sir fly]

Besides Purito targeting the stage, I wonder if anything else GC wise will happen here... if anybody will try anything at all.
I'm mostly thinking about Valverde, 'cause if he stays calm that will mean that he's thinking about the third spot overall being at the second three days before the end.
It'll be pretty unique attitude, you have to admit.

 

[Red Rick]

Might as well add that it's because his pregnant wife is in the hospital and has had surgery two times in the last week. Jeez, even when he stays on the bike he's followed by bad luck.

Hope it all ends well for him

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Gesink leaves the Vuelta.

“My pregnant wife has undergone surgery twice this past week. Her situation has not improved and she is still in the hospital. I will immediately leave the Vuelta to be with my family, who needs me right now,”

http://www.teambelkin.com/teamnews/robert-gesink-leaves-la-vuelta-4340

 

[HappyLoser]

“My pregnant wife has undergone surgery twice this past week. Her situation has not improved and she is still in the hospital. I will immediately leave the Vuelta to be with my family, who needs me right now,”

http://www.teambelkin.com/teamnews/robert-gesink-leaves-la-vuelta-4340

Family comes first. I feel sorry about it anyway.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

they should hammer the rainy descent and get rid of froome in gc