2015 Vuelta stage 19: Medina del Campo > Ávila 185.8km

[Flamin]

Alto de Valdelavía, 3ª (km 105): 1.440 m – 13 km – 2,7 %
Alto de la Paramera, 2ª (km 166,7): 1.395 m – 16,4 km – 4,1 %
Murallas de Ávila, np (km 185): 1.115 m – 1,3 km – 4,3 % (600m pavé)

A classic finish in the Vuelta: 2009, 2007, 2005... but the most known is without a doubt 1999 when VDB destroyed mankind on the cobbles.

Most likely a break FTW.

 

[damian13ster]

That is a very good stage design. Afraid there is too many people though close to each other in GC for fireworks

 

[classicomano]

Major Tom to follow in the footsteps of the late VDB and take another 10 seconds on Aru.

 

[MatParker117]

G

 

[Escarabajo]

A classic finish in the Vuelta: 2009, 2007, 2005... but the most known is without a doubt 1999 when VDB destroyed mankind on the cobbles.

Most likely a break FTW.

LOL.
Thunderdome times!!

In the comments section they were saying that from the leading group two had already died and another one with addiction.

 

[BigMac]

Would like to see the GC guys battling it out for bonus seconds this time.

That said, Astana may take it easier, knowing how futile their work was today.

 

[Gigs_98]

Once again, we might see an epic fight. I have the feeling this wont go to the break so Purito ftw.

 

[Escarabajo]

Agreed. Astana will probably take it easy and wait for Saturday stage to have a better chance. Aru will just try a futile attack on the ramps of Avila, but that won't ne enough.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

The final climb is just perfect for Dumoulin.

 

[Arredondo]

If the favorites will fight for the win, this stage has written Valverde all over it.

But i think a break will decide it.

 

[jsem94]

Tom D to pull a VDB. This suits him perfectly.

 

[ice&fire]

VDB? You guys make me laugh if you think the most known finish to Avila is 1999. Both 1983 and 1995 decided the GC and neither Hinault nor Jalabert waited until the cobbles or even Navalmoral for launching their attacks.

 

[Flamin]

Re:

VDB? You guys make me laugh if you think the most known finish to Avila is 1999. Both 1983 and 1995 decided the GC and neither Hinault nor Jalabert waited until the cobbles or even Navalmoral for launching their attacks.

Hence why the finish in Ávila is most known because of VDB.

 

[Son of Amsterhammer]

I'm with those thinking Astana will save it for Sat now. I'm thinking the break takes it tomorrow

 

[Cookster15]

Re:

I'm with those thinking Astana will save it for Sat now. I'm thinking the break takes it tomorrow

If Astana is already thinking about Saturday then tomorrow they might get a big shock on a cobbled climb that suits TD down to the ground. In that kind of finish and surface the advantage goes back to the bigger more powerful rider so Aru might be the one desperately trying to hold TD's wheel !

What an intriguing end to this Vuelta !

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

I'm with those thinking Astana will save it for Sat now. I'm thinking the break takes it tomorrow

If Astana is already thinking about Saturday then tomorrow they might get a big shock on a cobbled climb that suits TD down to the ground. In that kind of finish and surface the advantage goes back to the bigger more powerful rider so Aru might be the one desperately trying to hold TD's wheel !

What an intriguing end to this Vuelta !

It's a tough decision for Dumoulin whether to attack or not though. He might gain a few seconds, but it also leaves him vulnerable to a counter attack if he mis-times it. Plus putting in a big effort at the end of the stage could compromise his recovery for stage 20. Might be a better option just to follow Aru; maybe try to outsprint him in the last 100m if it looks like some gaps are opening up.

 

[TomLPC]

Re:

Major Tom to follow in the footsteps of the late VDB and take another 10 seconds on Aru.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/vuelta-a-espana-iconic-stages-vandenbroucke-and-the-99-race/

A lost soul

 

[Descender]

Time for Domoulin to attack.

Though as I said yesterday, I'm afraid there aren't any tough climbs left for Aru to take those 3 secs back. That's the charm of the Vuelta parcours! No hard climbing after the ITT, such a great idea!

 

[Lexman]

Re:

Major Tom to follow in the footsteps of the late VDB and take another 10 seconds on Aru.

Your post me smile big and reminds of some great cycling by VDB....

 

[Lexman]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFO162E0wVc

see how it is TomD or FabioA?

 

[jens_attacks]

Will watch again VDB's carniceria

Definitely not for aru tomorrow. Breakaway most likely

 

[Lexman]

Re:

Will watch again VDB's carniceria

Definitely not for aru tomorrow. Breakaway most likely

just watched it again as well as his demonstration on Navamoral

 

[Pippo_San]

Re: Re:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/vuelta-a-espana-iconic-stages-vandenbroucke-and-the-99-race/

A lost soul

Man I almost cried reading that piece. Awesome just awesome. RIP VDB you won't be forgotten.

 

[Moviestar]

Tomorrow's stage will pass El Barraco, the birth place of great climber Jose Maria ( Chava) Jimenez. One of my favorite riders, so much potential with yet another tragic end. I hope the stage winner will be a worthy one.

 

[WheelofGear]

A big rider like Tom has a edge over the climbers on the cobbles, Aru will have to put out some crazy attacks at the last 7k of Paramera climb.