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

[TommyPlus]

5 against the field.
Betancur
Gilbert
Nieve
F Schleck
Van Den Broeck

 

[greenedge]

Gerrans!!!

If not Valverde or Betancur

 

[arssura]

I ask your opinion: who will get a better position after today's stage ? Kreuziger or Intxausti ?
pls: sorry for my bad english. I am a big fan of cycling, but new to this sport.

 

[Cimber]

Valverde should win this.

 

[De Snelle Duif]

I ask your opinion: who will get a better position after today's stage ? Kreuziger or Intxausti ?

Kreuziger seems in better shape

 

[BigMac]

Apparentely it's sunny over Ordizia today, so rain won't ruin the race.

 

[UselessToo]

Favourite: T.J.Slagter Outsider: A.Madrazo

 

[manafana]

this does suit Valverde but also surprises can happen, the final climb is 2.3km and hardest in the middle so someone could go over top, the descent is very every man for himself best not to be trusting behind someone else.

 

[VeloHuman]

I ask your opinion: who will get a better position after today's stage ? Kreuziger or Intxausti ?
pls: sorry for my bad english. I am a big fan of cycling, but new to this sport.

Biggest determining factor here is probably team strategy. Because both of them are riding as second options on their respective teams, this kind of thing could come down to whether the team wants the rider to make his own play for GC.

If both are fighting for GC, one would think Kreuziger is in better shape, and he's also probably a better bike racer generally.

 

[UselessToo]

Roman has a bigger freedom in your team too (Movistar is team of one person, when Alejandro is participating in any races)

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Roman has a bigger freedom in your team too (Movistar is team of one person, when Alejandro is participating in any races)

Kreuziger has zero "freedom" if Contador is in form imo. Gotta continue to build up the leader heading into the tour.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Race in progress...

after 17km, gap 2:45

Ferrari (Caja Rural-RGA), Montaguti (Ag2r La Mondiale), Sicard (Europcar) y Villela (Cannondale)

Soft-ish break established after a few kms. Welcome to modern stage racing.

Ticker: http://biciciclismo.com/cas/site/eventos_online-ficha.asp?id=508

 

[Netserk]

Sicard Hope he can take the climber's jersey today.

 

[TommyPlus]

When was the last time a break took stage 1 of a World Tour race?

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Amets, where are you?

When was the last time a break took stage 1 of a World Tour race?

Last years Dauphine, I think.

 

[dlwssonic]

Really excited to see how tejay contador valverde will perform in this race.
Also looking forward to seeing how Gilbert's form is currently. But it probably won't be great as usual

 

[TommyPlus]

Amets, where are you?



Last years Dauphine, I think.

Thanks for that

 

[SafeBet]

Nice to see Villella active.

 

[ILovecycling]

Amets, where are you?



Last years Dauphine, I think.

Yeah,Veillux from Europcar iirc?
That was very impressive

 

[search]

final climb:

6k to go from the top, technical descent, the finish itself is uphill as well again, 500m at 8%

 

[Netserk]

No way the last 500m are uphill, more like 200m.

With 200m to go they turn right up this street: https://www.google.com/maps/@43.052...ata=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sykPTjtcYHhOoeJXAOOc9bg!2e0

 

[search]

No way the last 500m are uphill, more like 200m.

yeh, you are right, says 500m in the roadbook, but in fact it's more like 200

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Gasparotto ftw ladies and gents

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Gasparotto ftw ladies and gents

and you think he survives if the big men attack on the last climb? haha

 

[Miburo]

final climb:

6k to go from the top, technical descent, the finish itself is uphill as well again, 500m at 8%

Wow that's steep and also pretty long.