2014 Vuelta a Espana, Stage 4: Mairena del Alcor → Córdoba (164.7 Km)

[Afrank]

2014 Vuelta a Espana, Stage 4: Mairena del Alcor → Córdoba (164.7 Km)

 

[Coat-O]

 

[De Snelle Duif]

Small bump at the end. Degenkolb might take this

 

[BigMac]

I second this. Dingo to outsprint what's remaining of the pack.

 

[VeloHuman]

A lot of it was positioning but Bouhanni did an amazing job to be near the front at the end of Stage 3. Not sure he won't be able to survive and contest this one too.

 

[Coat-O]

Small bump at the end. Degenkolb might take this

If it's raced hard, he will arrive in the gruppetto.

Alto del Catorce is a hard climb and the last two kilometres are brutal.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

A good flat stage design.

Now we need the panzerwagen to drop the babysitting and go for the win, long distance.

 

[manafana]

going with the if its raced fast on those two climbs then we can get a break up of pack, todays winner Matthews probably strong enough to survive, finish does suit a good sprint.

 

[Jspear]

If it's raced hard, he will arrive in the gruppetto.

Alto del Catorce is a hard climb and the last two kilometres are brutal.

The peleton to grandaddy it up the Alto del Catorce and Degenkolb to win.

 

[Coat-O]

A good flat stage design.

Now we need the panzerwagen to drop the babysitting and go for the win, long distance.

If anyone from GC dare to attack, this could be a fantastic stage. They could be completely torn apart on top of the final climb and on the descent. And after that, there's only 10 kilometres left.

But it could be a borefest as well.

 

[Coat-O]

The peleton to grandaddy it up the Alto del Catorce and Degenkolb to win.

Haha. I wish they would "Horner it up" the Alto del Catorce. Strangling them one by one with a hard pace.

 

[damian13ster]

Its too early for some real action. Borefest. Bouhanni to take it I think

 

[Dr. Juice]

This is the last climb. Orica has to set a decent pace to get rid of Bouhanni and Degenkolb.
I don't see many teams wanting to go berserk. Is there any rider who is fast , not in the GC fight ( Bala), not using the first stages for training and strong enough uphill to be at ease those last 2 km at full gas?
I'm sure they could drop everyone, including Matthews if they go fast enough. But I don't see anybody who wants the peleton reduced to 35-40 riders over the top and 50-60 at the finish.

I would say option a) grandpa pace -> Bouhanni
b) average pace -> Matthews or Degenkolb ( the latter just making it over the top or coming back )

 

[movingtarget]

No reason Matthews can't do the double.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Excellent stage design. This Vuelta parcours is vastly underappreciated.

 

[hfer07]

Bouhanni FTW without a doubt- the climb is too far away from the finish line to create a massive cut on the sprinters. Worst case scenario, Sagan, Matthews or Degenkolb will take it - Even Valverde can do it

 

[Jancouver]

Looking at the stage profile, it now makes sense why Sagan was saving his legs today therefore Peťo FTW

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Looking at the stage profile, it now makes sense why Sagan was saving his legs today therefore Peťo FTW

I don't think so. I believe they are riding for Gatto.

 

[Jagartrott]

Hot weather will be a factor.

 

[jens_attacks]

now that it's a hot stage wow

i hope we all remember what liquigas did back in 2011 here also. this stage has big potential

i think movistar will go full gas on the climb and valverde will win the sprint.

 

[Punter]

I was also thinking the likes of Moviestar or even Sky could ride hard - surely you want to test and hopefully put Contador under pressure as early in the race as possible?

 

[theyoungest]

Look at the distance from the climb to the finish... I think people are being a little too hopeful. A reduced bunch sprint is on the cards.

 

[ILovecycling]

Look at the distance from the climb to the finish... I think people are being a little too hopeful. A reduced bunch sprint is on the cards.

without Bouhanni,or also Degenkolb?

 

[Jagartrott]

Bouhanni is looking super-strong, so I'll pick him for the win.

 

[burning]

I think It's the same climb from 2011 Vuelta, I wonder why they did not put the finish much closer like in 2011.