2015 Vuelta Stage 11: Andorra la Vella>Cortals d'Encamp 138k

[Bumeington]

Re: Re:

To be honest, action before La Gallina was irreal from the beginning.

Yeah, but gradients don't look as hard as they showed on the paper.

Inrng.com mentioned the gradients looked over-egged

 

[skidmark]

Re: 2015 Vuelta Stage 11: Andorra la Vella>Cortals d'Encamp

Not a bad stage so far; the Froome thing made for some suspense from the start, although since the summit of the second climb it's been a bit of a lull. No one was ever going to do anything on this climb, though, at least the break is splitting. Maybe something happens on Gallina, more likely on the last two climbs. I mean, even in the Gardeccia stage no one had attacked from this far out.

I'm watching the north american coverage here and todd gogulski is chirping on and on about how he's mystified about what Erviti is doing, and how he's ruining himself and won't be able to help Valverde. I mean, I understand the thought, but that's ridiculous. He went off the front for either a stage win, or a reduced group (which is what is going to happen) of the strongest riders, so they're not dragging dead weight. He's enough of a pro to know what he's doing. Well, at least I'm not listening to Carlton Kirby I guess.

 

[Ruby United]

Onto the Galina, the hardest climb of the day

 

[Gigs_98]

Re: Re:

Astana and Movi shouldn't have let Sky at the front.
But then again, Astan's been at the tempo on Ordino and it wasn't much stressful than this.

I read that Valverde is not ok so Movistar might play defensive today

Can Movistar please drop Valverde. I don't have anyghing against him but two leaders only make sense if they both are strong enough to fight for the win. If one is clearly stronger than the other one and has to ride defensive because he must not drop the other one two leaders are a shitty idea. Maybe they should realize he just isnt in good shape in general and wont get better soon.

 

[Billie]

Re: Re:

To be honest, action before La Gallina was irreal from the beginning.

Yeah, but gradients don't look as hard as they showed on the paper.

Inrng.com mentioned the gradients looked over-egged

Gallina has 2 km (from 4 to 2 fromt he top) at 12%

 

[BigMac]

Re: Re:

Best stage ever.

Hopefully some action on Collada de la Gallina will save this stage.

I hope not. I hope someone from the break wins.

Goncalves ofcourse

Nah, I'm realistic. He's already suffering and doesn't stand a chance today. Plaza or Fraile would be nice.

Best stage ever.

Hopefully some action on Collada de la Gallina will save this stage.

I hope not. I hope someone from the break wins. For me a GC guy attacking somewhere other than the last climb would be ruining this stage twice.

Go and permaban yourself

Lol, edited out

Meh, edited out before Rick hit submit. I still agree with myself there.

 

[rick james]

Stunning road

 

[sir fly]

Has anyone else an impression that the southern Pyreneenian side is rougher ('n' tougher) than the northern?

 

[Ruby United]

Anyways, I doubt anything will happen till the final 6 km, unless Piti feels better and Movistar man up.

 

[Red Rick]

BigMac knew he'd get caught

 

[Andro]

Re: Re:

Astana and Movi shouldn't have let Sky at the front.
But then again, Astan's been at the tempo on Ordino and it wasn't much stressful than this.

I read that Valverde is not ok so Movistar might play defensive today

LOL

Are they really gonna be a bunch of cowards for two grand tours in a row?

 

[Miburo]

Such an exciting stage.

 

[ILovecycling]

Re: 2015 Vuelta Stage 11: Andorra la Vella>Cortals d'Encamp

Whats with valverde?Fatigued or sick?

 

[TMP402]

I just went out for nearly 2 hours, I come back and the first thing I hear is Kirby talking about Atapuma again. What's with this guy?

 

[Bumeington]

How many in the peloton?

 

[Red Rick]

Who crashed there?

How many in the peloton?

Almost everyone, so too damn many

 

[skidmark]

Re: 2015 Vuelta Stage 11: Andorra la Vella>Cortals d'Encamp

Who just crashed at the front of the peloton as they went around that corner? TV guys didn't notice it.

 

[Ruby United]

Sky's fast tempo and depth of squad is killing the stage, but it's certainly working for them; they have neutralized Movistar and Astana

 

[DBotero]

Re: 2015 Vuelta Stage 11: Andorra la Vella>Cortals d'Encamp

Whats with valverde?Fatigued or sick?

cyclingnews.com>

Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) admitted he is struggling to lift his arm after his crash the other day but he is determined to fight on along with Quintana.

"It would have been better for this stage to come at another time but it's the end of the season for everybody. I didn't know it and I must say it's very impressive," he said.

"The average percentage for the stage is around 8 and 9 pc. It's brutal. On such a hard stage, you must be a 100 pc. Nairo and I are good and motivated. In mountain stages like this, there are several options. Attack one after the other, move early on or on the last climb. My crash was serious but I'm not looking for excuses. It could be better, I can hardly raise my arm. I hope it won't be a problem. If I win, I will only raise one arm."

 

[Billie]

Sicard almost in virtual red

 

[Red Rick]

Sicard virtual red?

 

[BigMac]

It's always a big gamble when you create stages that are both very, very hard, but can give an attacker their chance. This slow pace was, at best, to be expected. A stage that is conducive of attacks doesn't have to be this monstrosity, which in turn may put riders thinking twice before attacking. Not saying a stage like this shouldn't exist, on the contrary - it's more the rider's fault than the organisers. Great design this is. But it seems to be backfiring, and one can't be surprised.

 

[rick james]

Shirley the red jersey will get dropped on this climb

 

[Popchu]

Where is Plaza?

 

[Escarabajo]

Re:

I just went out for nearly 2 hours, I come back and the first thing I hear is Kirby talking about Atapuma again. What's with this guy?

He likes the sound of it.