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

[alspacka]

I say Froome.
True that the climb befits Purito and Valvderde, but do not forget that the penultimate km is 10% with a 15% stretch.
At that point I expect a terrible attack of Froome with only Contador responds and leaves him the win (which I would not do, and that the same would not Froome .But you will see that will go well))

I pretty much agree but there's zero chance Contador gifts Froome a single second if he can help it. Dawg's going Ape on Saturday and he knows it.

 

[Netserk]

Contador to get his second of three (four?) stage wins in the third week.

 

[BeagRigh]

Would be great to see the Dawg and Bertie going head to head and dropping everyone again but I can't see it on this stage.

Valverde vs Purito vs Samu IMHO

 

[manafana]

I wouldn't write off Martin or Navarro in this in my view, could surprise the favourites its not that long to push home the gc mens advantage.

 

[Jack_89]

Contador to get his second of three (four?) stage wins in the third week.

I hope he's going to win in Ancares. Today i think he only controls rivals...unfortunately

 

[Red Rick]

sky can destroy the peloton on the first ascent. if you go at 30 kmph you can destroy valverde and purito easily even with 3-2 km to go. basically froome and contador are a different world to the rest let's be honest. at least on farrapona they were.
i think if chris is as good as monday he will attack from the base of the final ascent, on that 14% ramp. this champ always attacks, no waiting for him

The climbs will take barely take like 16-17 minutes, and on these slopes drafting is still very important. Froome might attack on the last ramp, but I doubt Sky is strong enough to reduce the peloton enough to make that possible

 

[TourOfSardinia]

“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

Respect for Gesink

 

[wirral]

I think Sanchez will try for the break Friday where he is a realistic shot at the stage win.

And it will be interesting to see how Giant tackle the Green Jersey.

Degenkolb has a 35 point lead.

You would think they would send him in the break today to pick up a cheap 8 points.

He realistically needs 16 more points to retain the jersey after Saturday if Valverde wins today's and Saturday's stage, which he can pick up today and tomorrow as well as maybe some extra points at the finish tomorrow, and 4 on Saturday and he could be fine because Valverde/Contador won't score points in the TT on Sunday. So I see Degenkolb in the break today.

Good post

I think it could be a high risk move to try to get Degenkolb in the break which could be extremely hard to achieve in such a short stage. The racing will be fast and furious for the first hour. Maybe better if Giant allow a 2-man or solo break and then Degenkolb takes the 2 or 1 from the peloton. Also tomorrow Degenkolb has good chances of points. Too risky to expend a lot of energy today.

 

[Jagartrott]

It will be interesting to see how the peloton deals with the 3 houses and the church. Now I understand organisers want spectacle, but the riders' safety should be of primary concern.

 

[cineteq]

Hopefully Sky go mental up the first climb to really break it up and soften the legs. 2nd time around the Froome can attack again if he feels good. I hope he can get a stage win for his efforts.

Actually, they're doing the same climb twice. According to what I saw on this video (stage-18-preview by Perico and Pereiro) http://youtu.be/WaOXHJVtgmM the ramps are quite irregular so it might not favor Froome's riding style, this is more Valverde and Rodriguez's stage to shine, methinks.

 

[BeagRigh]

Valerio CONTI (1), Martijn KEIZER (37), Manuel QUINZIATO (47), Nathan HAAS (104), Sébastien HINAULT (123), Jay Robert THOMSON (167), Pieter SERRY (176), Esteban CHAVES RUBIO (182) and Jesse SERGENT (216) with about 30s.

Lotto not happy and trying to get them back.

 

[BeagRigh]

... and back together.

 

[fauniera]

Next try:

Alberto LOSADA
Eduard VORGANOV
Jonathan CASTROVIEJO
Jacques VAN RENSBURG
Simon CLARKE
Philippe GILBERT
Amets TXURRUKA
Romain HARDY
Guillaume LEVARLET
Johan LE BON

 

[thrawn]

Cmon Txuruka!

 

[BeagRigh]

Avg. speed 52km/h. Ouch!

 

[fauniera]

Garmin and Lampre have nearly pulled them back.

 

[Flamin]

Yep, 50,5km after 1 hour of racing with supposedly (soft) headwind

 

[BeagRigh]

Garmin and Lampre have nearly pulled them back.

Shame I thought 2 Katusha, 1 Movistar and 1 Sky man up the road had potential...

 

[GoodTimes]

Yep, 50,5km after 1 hour of racing with supposedly (soft) headwind

That's insanely fast.

 

[dduff442]

Shame I thought 2 Katusha, 1 Movistar and 1 Sky man up the road had potential...

They were only there to disrupt. That was four Rovnys in a ten man break which would even up the odds for the boxing.

 

[the sceptic]

sky will turn back the clock to 2012 today.. I have a feeling.

 

[ggusta]

That's insanely fast.

Too fast for any good fights to break out.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

It will be interesting to see how the peloton deals with the 3 houses and the church. Now I understand organisers want spectacle, but the riders' safety should be of primary concern.

Lol! I'd imagine Cancellara doing whatever he can to neutralise the stage because of this!

 

[BeagRigh]

They were only there to disrupt. That was four Rovnys in a ten man break which would even up the odds for the boxing.

nice.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Contador to get his second of three (four?) stage wins in the third week.

Lulz..... I was thinking about that just yesterday... which stages could Berto win? Decided stage 18,20,21 he COULD win... but I think he'll get one more win max.