2015 Vuelta stage 18: Roa > Riaza 204km

[manafana]

Re: 2015 Vuelta stage 18: Roa > Riaza 205km

its got be the breakaway, no GC affect I would think unless Dumoulin tries for a few seconds here to create a little more cushion which he might need.

 

[SafeBet]

Well designed stage for once. Looks perfect for Dumoulin on paper, but it's not impossible to attack him considering the lack of team. Astana should go Giro mode and see what happens.

 

[Miburo]

The last 40 km is prob the best thing this vuelta has to offer

 

[Tonton]

Re:

This climb is not nearly hard enough to do anything.
There is even a risk Dumoulin gaining time at intermediate sprint or finish.

Agree with you on that one. Only unknown: the state of "freshness" for the actors in this drama. Dumoulin will use BigMig tactics, stick to Aru's wheel, maybe take off after the descent and gain a few precious seconds. Once Nairito was out of the picture, Purito and Aru should have put him away while they could, instead of watching each other. Now it's looking good for TD.

 

[Velolover2]

This is a great stage. The best of the Vuelta along with stage 19. The only thing missing is rain! Let's hope they begin the race already from the two cat 3. climbs.

Although it seems unlikely, I hope Purito can win some time back. At least secure his 3rd place and gain some tme on Majka and Quintana before stage 20.

 

[ice&fire]

Re:

The last 40 km is prob the best thing this vuelta has to offer

The stage could have been even better if they had come to the last 40km from the west instead of from the east. But as KyoGrey said, this is the less populated region in Spain despite being less than 100kms from Madrid as the crow flies. The south side of la Quesera they are climbing was a goat track until 7 years ago. Other roads in the area have not been paved since ages and are full of potholes, cracks and even stones that fell from the side of the mountain that nobody removes as many villages have been abandoned and the remaining ones have an uncertain future as permanent settlements. Knowing all this, I was gladly surprised when the rumor of this stage appeared just a few days before the race presentation. Let's just hope the race is good so the region gets some more attention from Guillén and company in future editions.

 

[42x16ss]

The climbers need to get a gap on the undulating stuff and then force Dumoulin to chase on the main climb. IF they ride with some balls for once this could be an awesome stage, leaving Dumoulin isolated.

I'm tipping a break expert for the stage, probably LL Sanchez, with one, or even both Colombians forcing Dumoulin's hand from long range on the undulations. Purito to be caught out on the descent finish as he can't attack with 1km to go

 

[Iker_Baqueiro]

Re:

Normally this is a stage for the break but God knows what will happen.

Que sera, sera
Whatever will be, will be...

That is incomplete dude. It is

Lo que sera, sera

 

[Iker_Baqueiro]

Re: Re:

This climb is not nearly hard enough to do anything.
There is even a risk Dumoulin gaining time at intermediate sprint or finish.

Agree with you on that one. Only unknown: the state of "freshness" for the actors in this drama. Dumoulin will use BigMig tactics, stick to Aru's wheel, maybe take off after the descent and gain a few precious seconds. Once Nairito was out of the picture, Purito and Aru should have put him away while they could, instead of watching each other. Now it's looking good for TD.

It'd be nice to see a Miguel Indurain look-alike emerge in the next few years. The short guys have enjoyed 17 years of free rein, with the exception of Wiggins and Froome.

 

[jaylew]

Re:

The last 40 km is prob the best thing this vuelta has to offer

You and your negativity...

 

[Bolder]

Re: 2015 Vuelta stage 18: Roa > Riaza 205km

I expect exactly nothing from this stage. I am not even sure if it would be good to see action here because Aru might take red and that would make stage 20 lame. Best scenario would be Dumoulin and Aru finishing together behind Quintana, Majka and Rodriguez, with a gap of about a minute between these groups.

This is how I see it also. Big question is how much the TT depleted Aru and Dumoulin. I suspect that Astana have targeted Stage 20 as the make or break. But maybe Aru will be opportunisic if Dumoulin looks tired on the last climb. But I think there's too much road from the summit to the finish unless he gets a big gap. Should be fun to watch.

 

[Punter]

Astana will ride like race leaders and agree they will have better opportunities to grab the handful of seconds needed. What could make this race a classic is the number of riders still within 5 minutes and in some cases with a teammate - things could get very difficult to control

 

[Sasquatch]

Re:

Astana will ride like race leaders and agree they will have better opportunities to grab the handful of seconds needed. What could make this race a classic is the number of riders still within 5 minutes and in some cases with a teammate - things could get very difficult to control

Yeah, Moreno/Purito with the one-two assault. The only question is have Movistar given up and will fight to get on the podium thus helping Dumoulin chase down attacks.

But Stage 20 is going to be crazy. It will be similar to the final stage of the Dauphine last year.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re: Re:

Astana will ride like race leaders and agree they will have better opportunities to grab the handful of seconds needed. What could make this race a classic is the number of riders still within 5 minutes and in some cases with a teammate - things could get very difficult to control

Yeah, Moreno/Purito with the one-two assault. The only question is have Movistar given up and will fight to get on the podium thus helping Dumoulin chase down attacks.

But Stage 20 is going to be crazy. It will be similar to the final stage of the Dauphine last year.

And like the stages in Paris-Nice and Dauphine this year, we need rain in order to make such racing possible! Pray.

 

[SeriousSam]

Who is more likely to profit from Valverde, Quintana, Majka and Rodriguez probably all trying something. Aru or Dumoulin?

 

[Arredondo]

Re:

This is a great stage. The best of the Vuelta along with stage 19. The only thing missing is rain! Let's hope they begin the race already from the two cat 3. climbs.

Although it seems unlikely, I hope Purito can win some time back. At least secure his 3rd place and gain some tme on Majka and Quintana before stage 20.

Majka and Quintana are no threaths anymore. If there's no coupe of course.

Based on legs, they will not drop Purito by much. Podium should be safe. All about winning now!

 

[jens_attacks]

aru will take 20-30 sec on dumoulin today
i expect astana to destroy the peloton in the last 40 kms

 

[ice&fire]

Re:

aru will take 20-30 sec on dumoulin today
i expect astana to destroy the peloton in the last 40 kms

I expect Aru to drop Dumoulin in the climb and Dumoulin to chase back in the flat. Otherwise we'll be deprived of Saturday's show.

 

[Velolover2]

Re: Re:

This is a great stage. The best of the Vuelta along with stage 19. The only thing missing is rain! Let's hope they begin the race already from the two cat 3. climbs.

Although it seems unlikely, I hope Purito can win some time back. At least secure his 3rd place and gain some tme on Majka and Quintana before stage 20.

Majka and Quintana are no threaths anymore. If there's no coupe of course.

Based on legs, they will not drop Purito by much. Podium should be safe. All about winning now!

He said that in the post-interview too! Where do you think he will attack? He is only able to attack early out when it's raining it seems.

 

[Velolover2]

You guys think Dumoulin will sit in Aru's wheel? That's the best tactic IMO.

 

[vladimir]

Re: 2015 Vuelta stage 18: Roa > Riaza 205km

13:20

52 leaders

 

[Flamin]

Carnage! High pace and crosswind split the peloton.

Edit: Giant brought the 2nd group back. Dumoulin was caught out.

 

[vladimir]

Re: 2015 Vuelta stage 18: Roa > Riaza 205km

13:20

52 leaders

13:22

All together

Boring...

 

[Velolover2]

Let's hope Katusha, Movistar and Astana send a man out in a break. Then we could get a grand finale.

 

[Velolover2]

Re:

Carnage! High pace and crosswind split the peloton.

Edit: Giant brought the 2nd group back. Dumoulin was caught out.

Damn! Is Astana leading the peloton?