2015 Vuelta stage 12: Esc.-Engordany Andorra > Lleida 173km

[Eyeballs Out]

Re: Re:

If one or several teams would be able to race up the mountain at such a pace that Degenkolb and all other sprinters with similar or less climbing skills would be dropped, who would be the favorites in a sprint? And would there be enough riders in that (very much) reduced bunch to have be viable to stay ahead of the gruppetto?

That would be fun but I can't see anyone with the motivation expecially after such a hard day yesterday.

It would be awesome if Astana decided to go all "Giro '15" and drive hard up every climb to tire out Dumoulin before the next mountain stage but it isn't going to happen.

That would be a dream scenario for Dumoulin - small GC group on flat roads - he'd be a big threat to gain back some time

 

[Josh Homme]

Re: 2015 Vuelta stage 12: Esc.-Engordany Andorra > Lleida 17

Thanks for the info

No probs, I just happen to know the area and will be there Google Maps link added. If it's a sprint, it'll be interesting maybe splitting the peloton in 2 through that "bridge" after the roundbout. Although I guess they'll just go right, but it would be a bit narrow for the peloton.

Cool don't think that split will be a problem though.

Well, that's the exit of it. They'll enter there after the tricky roundabout. We'll see, luckily no Dan Martin/Bouhanni still in the race.

 

[BeagRigh]

Re: Re:

That would be a dream scenario for Dumoulin - small GC group on flat roads - he'd be a big threat to gain back some time

I'm not sure I agree though I'm also but saying I'd do it if I was Astana DS, it is not without risk, but I think their team is strong enough that they could isolate Domoulin with still 3 or 4 Astana guys in the group and the harder they can make the race the greater the chance of him cracking big time later..

 

[Velolover2]

Re: Re:

If one or several teams would be able to race up the mountain at such a pace that Degenkolb and all other sprinters with similar or less climbing skills would be dropped, who would be the favorites in a sprint? And would there be enough riders in that (very much) reduced bunch to have be viable to stay ahead of the gruppetto?

That would never happen. Degenkolb is one of the best climbing sprinters in the peloton (and not just of those left in this Vuelta).

If, however, they were to succeed in dropping Degenkolb, my guess is that Valverde would be the fastest (perhaps Gerrans if he isn't dropped as well).

Degenkolb doesn't seem like he is 100%, but he is still the favorite. A sprint without him would be awesome though. Almost no sprinters there. Valverde could even win a mass sprint like he did a couple of times in Catalunya.

 

[l.Harm]

Who's gonna chase? I think the breakaway has a good chance.

 

[Sasquatch]

Re: 2015 Vuelta stage 12: Esc.-Engordany Andorra > Lleida 17

Breakaway has no chance IMO. If they did, the lead would be out beyond 6 minutes now.

Degenkolb has a good chance to win so Giant are definitely going to chase.
OGE may chase for Impey
Caja has no one in the break so they will definitely try and chase for Barbero. They may be getting the KOM jersey, but they still want a stage win.
BMC will chase for Drucker
IAM need something and they will try and set up Reynes today
Trek will chase for Van Poppel
Lampre for Richeze

So there's 2 or 3 teams that may help. I think we'll see Giant, Caja, Lampre and IAM helping with the chase.

This is the last stage these riders can win before the final. They all didn't go through yesterday's monster stage just to let their last opportunity go to a breakaway.

 

[l.Harm]

Giant has to save their team to help Dumoulin for the GC. The others all have some chance but I doubt their teams will work for them.



Trek is starting to help in the chase now, though.

 

[martyfulu]

Re: 2015 Vuelta stage 12: Esc.-Engordany Andorra > Lleida 17

Any of those lovely links.

 

[dgodave]

Look at that river! Mining runoff?

 

[BlackWhiteEagle]

Just turned the TV on, anythig happened?

 

[Escarabajo]

Astana putting a high pace on the flats to tire Dumoulin would be like Giant putting a high pace in the mountains to tire Quintana, Purito, Aru.

 

[BigMac]

Re: 2015 Vuelta stage 12: Esc.-Engordany Andorra > Lleida 17

Any of those lovely links.

Hope any of these work:

http://www.sportcategory.com/c-9.html

 

[dgodave]

Re:

Just turned the TV on, anythig happened?

Just lakes and escarpments.

 

[dgodave]

Nice iglesia!

 

[l.Harm]

They need to dig deep in the chase.

 

[Eyeballs Out]

The break has been holding the gap - could be a good finish

 

[shalgo]

Re:

The break has been holding the gap - could be a good finish

That assumes the GPS is accurate; and it usually hasn't been in this race.

 

[shalgo]

Well, I hand timed the gap at 1:08 at 15 km, while the GPS was showing 1:11, so it is pretty close.

 

[TommyGun]

Van Poppel blew a tire, now Trek is not riding anymore

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Come on break away!

 

[BlackWhiteEagle]

Ok, break won.

 

[Carols]

Rojas for 3rd

 

[Ruby United]

I actually think the peleton will step this up and catch them

 

[PremierAndrew]

Re:

Ok, break won.

I'd be surprised if the break survives

 

[Ruby United]

Re: Re:

Ok, break won.

I'd be surprised if the break survives

Me too