2014 Vuelta a Espana, Stage 6: Benalmádena → La Zubia

[BeagRigh]

2014 Vuelta a Espana, Stage 6: Benalmádena → La Zubia

So first MTF finish...

Should be the first really test of the favorites' form.

General Classification after Stage 5
AUS 1 MATTHEWS, Michael (ORICA GreenEDGE) 17:35:05
COL 2 QUINTANA ROJAS, Nairo Alexander (MOVISTAR) + 13
ESP 3 VALVERDE BELMONTE, Alejandro (MOVISTAR) + 20
COL 4 URAN URAN, Rigoberto (OMEGA PHARMA - QUICK-STEP) + 24
ITA 5 CARUSO, Damiano (CANNONDALE) + 26
COL 6 CHAVES RUBIO, Jhoan Esteban (ORICA GreenEDGE)
ESP 7 ZUBELDIA AGIRRE, Haimar (TREK FACTORY RACING) + 29
NED 8 KELDERMAN, Wilco (BELKIN) + 32
ESP 9 CONTADOR VELASCO, Alberto (TINKOFF-SAXO)
NED 10 GESINK, Robert (BELKIN)
ESP 11 SANCHEZ GONZALEZ, Samuel (BMC RACING) + 34
AUS 12 EVANS, Cadel (BMC RACING)
GBR 13 FROOME, Christopher (SKY) + 38
FRA 14 BARGUIL, Warren (GIANT-SHIMANO) + 39
FRA 15 MONDORY, Lloyd (AG2R LA MONDIALE) + 41
POL 16 NIEMIEC, Przemyslaw (LAMPRE - MERIDA) + 45
ESP 17 RODRIGUEZ OLIVER, Joaquin (KATUSHA) + 47
ESP 18 NIEVE ITURALDE, Mikel (SKY)
IRL 19 MARTIN, Daniel (GARMIN SHARP) + 48
ESP 20 PARDILLA BELLON, Sergio (MTN - QHUBEKA) + 49

Coverage: http://www.steephill.tv/vuelta-a-espana/#live
Preview: http://www.c-cycling.com/sites/vuelta14/stage6.html (not up yet)

 

[BeagRigh]

Weather not quite as hot as the last few days but still in the 30s with little wind:

From the Overview Thread:

Stage URL

This stage marks the first real test for the GC guys, even though the final climb of first category will be the setting of a sprint stage more than of a mountain stage. Starting near Málaga and ending on a plateau near Granada, this is a typical Vuelta day with a relatively easy run-in to some very hard final kilometers. The Alto Cumbres Verdes is the final climb of the day and with 440 vertical meters in 4.6km, it averages nearly 10%. The real gradient is even higher, due to a flat section in the beginning of the climb. Any GC guy should be at the front here, but expect a real puncheur to win.

 

[Netserk]

Unipublic have the climb detail(s) wrong. By using the other numbers (altitude gain and length) the average gradient is ~9.5%, not 7.8%

EDIT: https://twitter.com/ammattipyoraily/status/496290581715636224

#LaVuelta, Stage 6. MTF La Zubia (4.64 km, 9.87 %, 458 m) | remeasured "6.30 W/kg [DrF]" = 14 min 36 sec, 19.07 Kph, VAM 1882 m/h

 

[Hugo87]

I really think this one is really suited for the Katusha duo, Moreno or Purito might win this.

Eager to see who's the first GC favorite struggling here.

 

[Arredondo]

Average over 9% indeed. So a chance for Nairo, Purito or Dani to shine.

 

[BeagRigh]

Thanks guys. Updated with the correct profile.

 

[Coat-O]

1. Purito
2. Froome
3. Aru

 

[Netserk]

Quintana or Valverde FTW.

 

[SeriousSam]

1. Purito
2. Froome
3. Aru

The moment of truth, can't wait. My guess is the Dawg.

 

[Futuroscope]

1. Rodriguez
2. Froome
3. Valverde

 

[yespatterns]

I'm figuring a mix of:

Purito
Quintana
Froome
Contador
Aru

As much as i think it suits Purito though, I just don't think he's going to pull out the win on this one. Should be a fun stage with a lot of potential though!

 

[Coat-O]

The moment of truth, can't wait. My guess is the Dawg.

You don't think Aru could do well?

In the Giro, he was somewhat explosive.

 

[Fzotrlool]

How big will the gaps between the riders typically be on a climb like this?

Let's say from 1st place to 10th. 40 seconds?

 

[Sasquatch]

Chaves or Yates

 

[sir fly]

I'm sure everybody are waiting this stage to see Contador's conditions.

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Not much shelter from the heat tomorrow...

Hardly a bend all the way to the top as well. Cruel climb.

 

[sir fly]

^
No place to hide.
Literally.

 

[Ruudz0r]

Dan Martin will take this!

 

[May0maniac]

You don't think Aru could do well?

In the Giro, he was somewhat explosive.

Aru will ride like a man possessed, the next decent climb will only be on stage 9 so i think many of the gc guys will go for broke and try to hurt Contador early when he could be vulnerable.

 

[Rollthedice]

Don't know who will win but I am certain Nairito will be in the red at the end of the stage. The jersey, of course.

 

[ILovecycling]

Dan Martin will take this!

this is no LBL, he will be begging for mercy from real climbers

 

[Arredondo]

this is no LBL, he will be begging for mercy from real climbers

LBL 2013:

2. Joaquim Rodriguez
3. Alejandro Valverde

 

[classicomano]

Is Braceface Chaves good in these short explosive climbs? I'd like him to do well here.

 

[inthepink]

Dan Martin, Valverde , Katusha duo & Froome, Kelderman will be up there in first group.....I think a gap to the rest

 

[Jspear]

Jrod for the win. Valverde and Froome will round out the podium.