2015 Vuelta stage 4: Estepona > Vejer de la Frontera 209.6km

[Flamin]

The peloton stays another day in Andalucía. From the province of Málaga they go to Cádiz.

The first 200k are a borefest but the finale is quite interesting. From km 4 to 3 the average gradient is around 12%! The last 400m are at 6%. The final k is very tricky also with no less than 6 corners.

Too hard for Sagan, Degenkolb and Bouhanni. Dani Moreno FTW, or maybe again someone from the 2nd row.

 

[jsem94]

Dan Martin ftw? He showed some strength on stage 2.

Edit: oh wait, there are corners? In that case, Dan Martin will fall in the final corner and miss out on the victory.

 

[Lance Armstrong]

Re: 2015 Vuelta stage 4: Estepona > Vejer de la Frontera 209

Too hard for Sagan, Degenkolb and Bouhanni. Dani Moreno FTW, or maybe again someone from the 2nd row.

1km long climb is not too hard for Sagan at the end of flat stage.

 

[Escarabajo]

Moreno, Purito. Not sure Henao has freedom to do something on his own.

 

[BigMac]

First actual Valverde Vs Purito showing. Dani Navarro and Txurruka/Gonçalves will try to spoil the party inside the final kilometers. Dan Martin second. Spaniards stare at each other and won't work. Froome wins @ 2k RPM's. Tom Dumoulin Top5. Lawson Craddock Top10.

 

[fungusbear]

I think there might be some small gaps between GC riders...
Valverde ftw me thinks

 

[AlexNYC]

Re:

Moreno, Purito. Not sure Henao has freedom to do something on his own.

Not sure why Sky would not want to minimize potential time bonuses for Purito and Valverde by setting up Henao for a podium finish.

 

[sir fly]

Ideal for stage hunters.
Hard to believe some GC contender will attack on the first ramp 4k from the finish, it should be a launch pad for the puncheurs from the second echelon.

 

[Velolover2]

Sending Henao up there would be smart as hell. But I'm going for Purito. I don't think a guy like Dan Martin is able to outkick him.

 

[BigMac]

Re:

Sending Henao up there would be smart as hell. But I'm going for Purito. I don't think a guy like Dan Martin is able to outkick him.

Like he already did when Purito was younger?

 

[Flamin]

Re: 2015 Vuelta stage 4: Estepona > Vejer de la Frontera 209

Too hard for Sagan, Degenkolb and Bouhanni. Dani Moreno FTW, or maybe again someone from the 2nd row.

1km long climb is not too hard for Sagan at the end of flat stage.

I expect some serious attacks from guys like Moreno and Martin and 12% is real business. Maybe he can survive but I'd say it won't happen.

 

[Mr.White]

Don't think it's too hard for Sagan, for Bouhanni and Degenkolb it is. Maybe Gerrans could do something, don't know his form. Dan Martin will try for sure, but I don't think he'll win. Valverde will follow wheels and if opportunity arise he will be up there. Not so sure about Purito, too easy for him, Moreno could win though

 

[No_Balls]

Re: Re:

Purito-territory. Dont think Valverde is intrested in this. He is saving himself.

 

[DBotero]

Re: 2015 Vuelta stage 4: Estepona > Vejer de la Frontera 209

I hope this time Valverde and J.Rod come out to play,if not Moreno should get this.Henao has the freedom,but i think he'll be in recovery mode after that crash,it was a heavy one.

 

[Kwibus]

That km at 12% is purito territory. Not those 3km flat afterwards and those 6% for 400m are not hard enough for him as well.

 

[Gigs_98]

Re: 2015 Vuelta stage 4: Estepona > Vejer de la Frontera 209

Purito ftw

 

[Jspear]

Valverde for the win. Dan Martin will be positioned poorly at the bottom of the climb - he'll get a top 5. Jrod will be up there as well. Also I'd really like to see Chaves do well again.

 

[ILovecycling]

Sagan can handle this I think if anyone else goes totally full gas.

 

[KyoGrey]

Re: 2015 Vuelta stage 4: Estepona > Vejer de la Frontera 209

¿Where is Lobato when he is needed?

Don't think an alpha dog will move in that 12% km, and probably a regroupment will happen after it.

Then, with only 400m of final uphill sprint at 6% it is more a Sagan, Degenkolb, Bouhanni type of stage than a Valverde/Purito/Martin TBH. But as the sprinters are on such low form in this Vuelta, who knows who will win.

My guess is that everybody will look at each others faces for too long while an outsider claims the victory.

 

[classicomano]

Dumoulin will taketh the leader jersey here, also the stage. But also the leader jersey. I cant wait.

 

[classicomano]

As evident by yesterdays stage the main GC guys (minus Dumoulin) cant be arsed in these early stages and clearly want to ease into this Vuelta. Major Tom will take full advantage of this.

 

[May0maniac]

This stage would be perfect for Ulissi.

 

[classicomano]

Re:

This stage would be perfect for Ulissi.

It will take a miracle for Ulissi to win this stage.

 

[May0maniac]

Re: Re:

This stage would be perfect for Ulissi.

It will take a miracle for Ulissi to win this stage.

I wrote would because he's not riding the Vuelta.

 

[Tank Engine]

Re:

Sagan can handle this I think if anyone else goes totally full gas.

Saxo showed their hand early today and still won. Tomorrow is a day for them to keep their cards close to their chest, be patient. Don't go with the attacks with 3-4km to go, keep a few guys with Sagan and set him free in the last k. It can be done.