2015 Vuelta stage 10: Valencia > Castellón 146.6km

[Flamin]

Puerto de l´Oronet, 3ª (km 29): 500 m – 6 km – 4,4 %
Desierto de las Palmas, 2ª (km 129,5): 420 m – 7,5 km – 5,4 %

(climbed until 7,5km mark so not the steep stuff)

The Alto del Desierto de las Palmas was also part of the Spanish national road race in 2011. It was ridden 3 times. Contador blew the race apart on the final ascent with only JJ Rojas able to follow him. They worked together well on the descent/flat to the finish, where Rojas outsprinted Contador.

Most likely a break FTW.

 

[liamito]

Last day of racing for Ewan?

 

[BigMac]

Things likely to happen:

Gonçalves on the attack on las Palmas.

 

[jsem94]

If this is anything like stage 8, bring it on!

 

[del1962]

What is the descent like?

 

[Tank Engine]

Re:

Things likely to happen:

Gonçalves on the attack on las Palmas.

with Adam Hansen.

Giant have got the red jersey and the obvious favourite if it comes down to a sprint and I can see that they might prefer to get a guy in the break themselves.

I'll go for my default break option: Adam Hansen

Edit: I just noticed that they don't go all the way up that climb, which makes it much more Degenkolb friendly, so a hard day in front of Team Giant

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Re:

What is the descent like?

Much less hazardous than the one from Cresta del Gallo.

 

[markene2]

For some reason i have a feeling that Rojas will be good here, probably snatch the 4th place

 

[Flamin]

Re:

What is the descent like?

Fast and non-technical. Those final flat kilometers are also on big roads, albeit with quite some roundabouts.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Re:

For some reason i have a feeling that Rojas will be good here, probably snatch the 4th place

Predicting Rojas to come 4th is a bit like predicting Zubeldia not to be picked up on camera.

 

[SafeBet]

Teams must be tired after 9 days of racing. Can't see anybody able to bring back a good break tomorrow.

 

[Orbit501]

Looks like Bilbao rested up today. Must be his turn to have a go in the break tomorrow for Caja Rural before the rest day. Perhaps he can go one better than Friday and bag a stage win this time.

My dream scenario is Txurruka to be in the break....merely as a bridge for Bilbao to strut his stuff

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

For some reason i have a feeling that Rojas will be good here, probably snatch the 4th place

Predicting Rojas to come 4th is a bit like predicting Zubeldia not to be picked up on camera.

Well from Rojas at least we know that he's real. Zubeldia is more myth than reality.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Should be a breakaway win tomorrow, maybe someone like Valverde will have a go on the climb and try to go away on the descent. However if there are still some Sky, Tinkoff and Astana left in the main bunch he should be brought back on the flat.

 

[TMP402]

Everyone's missing the obvious winner: The Merseyside Missile, Steve-O Cummings.

 

[Sasquatch]

Lindemann should try and get the KOM jersey today. Fraile will rest today to be right for Wednesday. Lindemann's chance to strike and get something else for Lotto.

 

[MatParker117]

Degenkolb?

 

[Jspear]

Re:

Degenkolb?

That's what I'm thinking. He needs a stage win and he's got less competition with Bouhanni and Sagan out.

 

[42x16ss]

Re:

Last day of racing for Ewan?

From all reports. OGE don't want to overrace him and they've been using him hard as a bottle carrier to let the rest of the team focus on Chaves.

My tip is one of Hansen, LL Sanchez, Txurruka/Bibao/Goncalves, or someone from MTN.

 

[ILovecycling]

break away

 

[Taxus4a]

Good day for breakaways as now Domoulin is more important than Degenkolb. I hope to see Verona there.
Other way is a good day for Luis León

 

[PremierAndrew]

Is the descent fairly easy, or is it quite technical?

 

[SafeBet]

I'd love to see Sbaragli in the break today.

 

[PremierAndrew]

The Alto del Desierto de las Palmas was also part of the Spanish national road race in 2011. It was ridden 3 times. Contador blew the race apart on the final ascent with only JJ Rojas able to follow him. They worked together well on the descent/flat to the finish, where Rojas outsprinted Contador.

Most likely a break FTW.

 

[SafeBet]

That's the year Contador was suspended so you can't see his result.