2015 Vuelta stage 15: Comillas > Sotres/Cabrales 175.8km

[Red Rick]

For some reason I was convinced this climb had some dirt roads, but I think I confused it another Esp climb from Libertine's thread. Trobaniello or something?

 

[SafeBet]

Aru needs to follow Landa until someone attacks. Dumoulin won't be able to follow that pace and will be distanced anyway.
If Quintana attacks early, which I doubt knowing Movistar, he can keep him under control using the team and try to make up time later in the climb.

Yesterday he was very impatient, I hope he learns from his mistakes.

 

[Red Rick]

Not enough mountains left for Quintana to win back 3 minutes. I think he should try to win the two remaining MTF's. Maybe attack early on the climb today and attack halfway Cobertoria tomorrow and see where it ends.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Another one for the break I think.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Re:

For some reason I was convinced this climb had some dirt roads, but I think I confused it another Esp climb from Libertine's thread. Trobaniello or something?

Yes, Trobaniello is a partially dirt climb. It's between Cobertoria and San Lorenzo and forms the northeastern arm of the Puerto de la Ventana. They could feasibly put it between Cobertoria and Ermita de Alba, but that would put more flat before the final climb, which at such steepness I'm not sure I'd recommend. The usual idea is to put it before San Lorenzo and then have either a flat finish at Pola de Somiedo (which is very small and would be unlikely to afford it with Asturian state support though they were pushing to put a finish there this year, so hopefully we can see one soon, as it would be a descent finish straight from an ESP climb) or an MTF at either Somiedo, La Farrapona or Valle del Lago (the latter would be best as it's the easiest climb of the three).

 

[TomekA]

Weather? Cold as yesterday or warmer?

And what do you think of stage 20? Is it possible to see really big gaps there between GC guys?

 

[Gigs_98]

Re:

Weather? Cold as yesterday or warmer?

And what do you think of stage 20? Is it possible to see really big gaps there between GC guys?

I never had such problems to say how I think a stage will be raced. It mostly depends on the fact if riders like quintana or majka are still in an area where they could win but they are too far behind to get the time on the last climb. If thats the case this stage could be absolutely awesome with attacks from the penultimate climb. However the gradients of the climbs next saturday are what makes me pretty unsure. F.e. if aru is in the lead astana might be strong enough to completely control the race and if thats the case the mountains might simply be too easy to let the race completely explode.

 

[Sasquatch]

I hope this break stays away because Zubeldia is in it

 

[Gigs_98]

Re:

I hope this break stays away because Zubeldia is in it

Spoiler, he will be caught before the TV coverage starts

 

[Carols]

Re:

I hope this break stays away because Zubeldia is in it

How do you know? Has anyone really seen him?

 

[Sasquatch]

Movistar chasing hard. Looks like they want Quintana to pick up bonus seconds.

Come on Purito. Today is your day.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

Movistar chasing hard. Looks like they want Quintana to pick up bonus seconds.

Come on Purito. Today is your day.

And more importantly (kinda), to win the stage. Good initiative, was quite odd to see that nobody wanted anything yesterday.

 

[Capolista]

@GregorBrown on Twitter:

"Several riders including race leader Aru did not sign in today".

Anyone know why?

 

[malakassis]

Re:

Weather? Cold as yesterday or warmer?

And what do you think of stage 20? Is it possible to see really big gaps there between GC guys?

i hope for fog like yesterday. thats why i love the vuelta: asturian monster climbs, rainy/foggy weather & a bit chaos..vamos!

 

[Tonton]

I like the Elissonde pick (of course ) but if Quintana has life in him, he has to attack. He must have regrets after the TdF for not having been more aggressive down the stretch. Dumoulin to lose time. Purito will be there.

1. Quintana
2. Purito
3. Majka
4. Aru
5. Sicard

 

[Irondan]

Chaves for the win today! He's on top form and will be pushed by Purito, but will ultimately persevere.

 

[aarononymous]

Re:

Chaves for the win today! He's on top form and will be pushed by Purito, but will ultimately persevere.

Would love to see it but not going to happen I'm afraid. He does seem to be in his best form in a GC though.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Hope Aru can keep his cool today and let Landa finish off his job before he attacks.

 

[Carols]

Oh my I just saw Zubeldia on tv!!!!

 

[TommyGun]

Re:

Oh my I just saw Zubeldia on tv!!!!

Inded, such a rare sight! This stage is already epic, no matter what happens!

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Re:

Oh my I just saw Zubeldia on tv!!!!

 

[Red Rick]

Zubeldia FTW, but just as he's about to cross the line and make a winning gesture, Aru lauches a cataclismic attack, so Zubeldia winning won't be televised.

 

[doperhopper]

tailwind on the final climb, steep ramps - we can have impressive VAM if it's really raced from the bottom

 

[Gigs_98]

I just found out that in his whole career Zubeldia has won one single stage...
Well at least wikipedia claims that, maybe he also won last years tour, but nobody saw it

 

[BigMac]

I just found out that in his whole career Zubeldia has won one single stage...
Well at least wikipedia claims that, maybe he also won last years tour, but nobody saw it

Not a stage, the prologue of 2010 Tour de L'ain. It wasn't televised.

Edit: Ah, the Euskal Bizikleta.