2014 Vuelta al País Vasco, Stage 4: Vitoria-Gasteiz → Arrate (Eibar), 151 km

[skidmark]

The final descent is kind of hilarious though.

I was bike touring around Europe by myself in the summer of 2012, and decided I wanted to catch this stage of the Vuelta live. After biking fully loaded (tent and all my gear) for 120km, setting up for the night, and biking another 40km in the forty-degree-celsius Spanish heatwave, I sort of was able to bike up Arrate (took some dignified water breaks for several minutes at a time, some of which required a good sit-down). The finish was a bit downhill but I couldn't resist seeing the finish line of a bike race live, as I had never seen that before. The video I have is hilarious - these guys just come zipping by the camera with an audible 'zoom'! I was all 'uh - I think Rodriguez and Valverde were in front and one of them won?', and I had the visual acuity to recognize that Contador and Froome's jersey colours were there too, but that was about it. Note to self - better to watch on the uphill, leave the fast finishes for TV. I'll happily live-stream the end of this one from my bedside table in Canada.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I was bike touring around Europe by myself in the summer of 2012, and decided I wanted to catch this stage of the Vuelta live. After biking fully loaded (tent and all my gear) for 120km, setting up for the night, and biking another 40km in the forty-degree-celsius Spanish heatwave, I sort of was able to bike up Arrate (took some dignified water breaks for several minutes at a time, some of which required a good sit-down). The finish was a bit downhill but I couldn't resist seeing the finish line of a bike race live, as I had never seen that before. The video I have is hilarious - these guys just come zipping by the camera with an audible 'zoom'! I was all 'uh - I think Rodriguez and Valverde were in front and one of them won?', and I had the visual acuity to recognize that Contador and Froome's jersey colours were there too, but that was about it. Note to self - better to watch on the uphill, leave the fast finishes for TV. I'll happily live-stream the end of this one from my bedside table in Canada.

I was not far above the turning for Ixua, just at the end of the steepest 3kms, and we basically watched the leaders come by, then the chasing two groups, then somebody who had the foresight to bring a radio was yelling results down the hillside to us all as we cheered on the stragglers. Then we all clustered around a camper where they'd got a portable TV and tried to work out whether Valverde or Rodríguez had won from a tiny, grainy image.

Good times.

 

[movingtarget]

Only a successful breakaway (or an act of generosity) can prevent Contador from taking this one.
He looked good on Monday and even better on Tuesday when Valverde accelerated.
Can't see anyone shaking him off.

Anything otherwise would be a surprise on current form.

 

[Jack_89]

Finish is downhill but it's a pretty immediate descent to the finish line, small gaps should hold. That means Valverde (or Kwiato or Cunego) need to be on Contador pretty tight rather than relying on things coming back together for a sprint in the short post-summit period before the finish.

I agree. I think a man with a few seconds can arrive alone. however gaps are small.

But the question is: can someone hold the wheel of Contador about 3km to 9%?
I would say no looking his current form, but also Valverde is well and might make an effort to resist, seeing the short climb.

 

[ILovecycling]

I agree. I think a man with a few seconds can arrive alone. however gaps are small.

But the question is: can someone hold the wheel of Contador about 3km to 9%?
I would say no looking his current form, but also Valverde is well and might make an effort to resist, seeing the short climb.

No way, Valverde was way back in terms of climbing in first stage. I dont see anything different in this stage.

 

[Better Call Saul]

I can see bmc trying something here. Maybe sending sammy or tj on the attack early? Not alot to lose. Hard to see anyone cracking contador but potentially valverde.

 

[Lexman]

Kwiatkowski might crack, not much but some 30 seconds or so...

 

[jens_attacks]

movistar will go full throttle, valverde will be as strong as alberto today me thinks. the rest at 30 seconds again. would love something from the schlecks

 

[De Snelle Duif]

Why are Kennaugh and Riblon so far back? I expected Riblon to be in a breakaway one of these days

 

[Bavarianrider]

It seems the final climb looks a lot harder on paper than it is in reality.
Has only produced marginal gains in the past.

 

[vladimir]

Why are Kennaugh and Riblon so far back? I expected Riblon to be in a breakaway one of these days

I think you just answered your own question there (If Riblon should be allowed to go in a break he must be a bit down on GC)
To be more serious I think Riblon only uses this race to build form for later races. Kennaugh is here for helping Nieve, and as soon as his job is done for day day he soft pedals as slowly as possible to the finish line.

 

[theyoungest]

I'm getting a bit bored with this stage to be honest. The first 5km of the final climb will feature some pace riding, after which some attacks will create two groups, one with about 3 leaders, one with about 10 chasers and they will either regroup in the descent or finish with about 5-10 seconds between them.

The final descent is kind of hilarious though.

You forgot Sammy Sanchez attacking just ahead of the final corner, and winning.

Indeed, this climb is a dud. Only Contador on super stellar form can escape here.

 

[Miburo]

It seems the final climb looks a lot harder on paper than it is in reality.
Has only produced marginal gains in the past.

Yea the climb looks good but sucks. Valverde wins it easy.

 

[Sykhrzon]

I can see bmc trying something here. Maybe sending sammy or tj on the attack early? Not alot to lose. Hard to see anyone cracking contador but potentially valverde.

They will never let TJ go. Even though he is far behind.

Sammy could be good choice. They have nothing to lose as you say and and he is not considered a threat.

 

[del1962]

It seems the final climb looks a lot harder on paper than it is in reality.
Has only produced marginal gains in the past.

This is probably correct

Only produced a 6 second split between a group of Contador, Froome, Piti and Purito and 10 others in 2012 vuelta

 

[Sykhrzon]

Kwiatkowski might crack, not much but some 30 seconds or so...

Yep. Most likely on the mid section. But he may still be able to catch up everyone but Contador and Valverde.

 

[Kokoso]

I think you just answered your own question there (If Riblon should be allowed to go in a break he must be a bit down on GC)
To be more serious I think Riblon only uses this race to build form for later races. Kennaugh is here for helping Nieve, and as soon as his job is done for day day he soft pedals as slowly as possible to the finish line.

Only Kennaugh was co - leader, but got huge gap from first stage. He hoped for more. This is no Coppi e Bartali.

I think Saxo could send Kreuziger up the road similar way as at T-A stage. And, if he's lucky, he could take this stage. His form should have upwards trajectory for Ardennes, so it's just about time he could show something in this race, apart od helping Alberto devotedly.

 

[del1962]

Only Kennaugh was co - leader, but got huge gap from first stage. He hoped for more. This is no Coppi e Bartali.

I think Saxo could send Kreuziger up the road similar way as at T-A stage. And, if he's lucky, he could take this stage. His form should have upwards trajectory for Ardennes, so it's just about time he could show something in this race, apart od helping Alberto devotedly.

Why would they send Kreuzinger up the road when Contador has the jersey?

 

[Rollthedice]

Nothing especial today. Maybe some will crack but not the first 2 in GC. Everything to be decided in the ITT.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

In before ianstannard trolling about some random Sky rider winning.

 

[Lexman]

Gerrans & Sarmiento DNS

 

[Lexman]

Lulu, Ben King, Dyanchenko, Marino & Oliveira escaped, 15 seconds on the bunch

 

[jens_attacks]

if movistar goes full throttle and valverde goes, trust me there will be gaps.

in recent years, arrate was raced at not very high speed.

 

[Kokoso]

Why would they send Kreuzinger up the road when Contador has the jersey?

There is no Kreuzinger, so I don't know.

 

[ILovecycling]

There is no Kreuzinger, so I don't know.

yeah,its ridiculous that few people in 2014 still dont spell his name correctly