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2014 Vuelta al País Vasco, Stage 1: Ordizia → Ordizia, 153.4 km

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Geraint Too Fast

Geraint Too Fast

Jul 5, 2011
3,348
1
13,480
2014 Vuelta al País Vasco, Stage 1: Ordizia → Ordizia, 153.4 km

Official Start List
etapa3.jpg


I'm really looking forward to this stage. Hopefully it doesn't disappoint. :)
 
Libertine Seguros

Libertine Seguros

Feb 20, 2010
32,220
13,691
28,180
The Hitch said:
Reminds me of stage 1 from 3 years ago, with similar distance and a similar final climb - slightly steeper, when Horner dropped everyone and Murito won the sprint from 4.
Click to expand...

Definite similarity to the Zumarraga stage though Gaintza is about 50% longer than the Alto de la Antigua. It doesn't get quite as steep though its average is higher.

This has the potential to be the best stage of the race, in fact on paper it IS the best stage of the race. I wish they'd put Lazkaomendi on the second loop as well (it is there the first time around when they do Gaintza). That would make the toughest climb the 2nd last and add another short but brutal climb just after. Still, this is the best-designed stage of the race and can hopefully make up for the real disappointment that is the Markina stage design.
 
Jack_89

Jack_89

Mar 28, 2014
626
252
10,380
Libertine Seguros said:
Definite similarity to the Zumarraga stage though Gaintza is about 50% longer than the Alto de la Antigua. It doesn't get quite as steep though its average is higher.

This has the potential to be the best stage of the race, in fact on paper it IS the best stage of the race. I wish they'd put Lazkaomendi on the second loop as well (it is there the first time around when they do Gaintza). That would make the toughest climb the 2nd last and add another short but brutal climb just after. Still, this is the best-designed stage of the race and can hopefully make up for the real disappointment that is the Markina stage design.
Click to expand...
I completely agree. It could be the hardest and spectacular stage of PV after the ITT.Last hillys are very hard and interesting
 
Arredondo

Arredondo

Aug 16, 2013
7,620
2
0
I think in the current form of Valverde, it is mission impossible for Contador to drop him on the climb. I think Valverde is able to drop everybody, but he will wait for the sprint.
 
Fzotrlool

Fzotrlool

Feb 10, 2014
642
0
0
What is the chance of an old school revival?

Gesink, Evans, Samu, Lulu, Andy and Frank. Party like it's 09/10.
 
Libertine Seguros

Libertine Seguros

Feb 20, 2010
32,220
13,691
28,180
Lulu on this finish would absolutely astound me. This is so not the power climbs he excels on. Madrazo, Fraile and Txurruka are better calls from Caja Rural on this stage.

Chernetskiy, Spilak, Pinot, Vanendert, Gasparotto, André Cardoso and Albasini are a few outsiders who could place well, but I don't think any can win unless they get let go while Valverde et al look at each other. As has been mentioned, it's very narrow.
 
Dekker_Tifosi

Dekker_Tifosi

Mar 13, 2009
29,353
3,379
28,180
Fzotrlool said:
What is the chance of an old school revival?

Gesink, Evans, Samu, Lulu, Andy and Frank. Party like it's 09/10.
Click to expand...

Gesink and Evans are hit or miss, could do surprisingly well, could totally fail. Who knows? They both had a good start to the season, then totally sucked in TA.. (well gesink had an excuse, but still).
Frank Schleck will be up there, he was strong in CI.
Andy will be 97th
Lulu, he'll be there in some stages, but this is too tough of a course for him
 
C

cocteau_ireland

Sep 11, 2010
867
9
9,995
Dekker_Tifosi said:
Gesink and Evans are hit or miss, could do surprisingly well, could totally fail. Who knows? They both had a good start to the season, then totally sucked in TA.. (well gesink had an excuse, but still).
Frank Schleck will be up there, he was strong in CI.
Andy will be 97th
Lulu, he'll be there in some stages, but this is too tough of a course for him
Click to expand...
Nonsense. Andy's got a top 80 in him this season; I can feel it.
 
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