2016 Vuelta a España, stage 17: Castellón > Mas de la Costa

[Durden93]

Re: Re:

i'm curious how many Sky will put in the break on the 1st climb. from 0 (incompetence) to 3 (we want Froome to love us again). If Tinkoff ads a few more at least we will watch the stage hoping that something will happen.

Why should Sky put riders into the break?

So that A) Sky don't have to work on the front and
B) Froome has a teammate to bridge to when he attacks.

 

[Escarabajo]

A) is Ok
B) is meaningless in that climb.

 

[movingtarget]

Re: 2016 Vuelta a España, stage 17: Castellón > Mas de la Co

When Contador claims this stage will be perhaps the hardest one, I can't help but thinking he's got a plan...



The Three greats Nairito, Froome & Contador to battle it out for the stage win (wishful thinking of course)

He might have a plan but I can't see him out climbing Quintana at this stage, maybe not Chavez either. Froome is the one who might be vulnerable even though normally he is good on such stages.

 

[Tonton]

Re: 2016 Vuelta a España, stage 17: Castellón > Mas de la Co

With the ITT looming, I had marked this stage as a potentially key moment. It will be defining. for sure, Ellisonde will try to go for early KOM points, but on the GC side, the final climb offers all sorts of scenarii. Froome's opponents smell blood, so he has to show strength. He'll be attacked. Quintana is in the driver seat. Contador will make a move and if Dawg shows any sign of weakness, feeding frenzy...I can't wait.

 

[IndianCyclist]

Re:

i'm curious how many Sky will put in the break on the 1st climb. from 0 (incompetence) to 3 (we want Froome to love us again). If Tinkoff ads a few more at least we will watch the stage hoping that something will happen.

Most likely 0. They have only one strategy.

 

[carton]

The more I look at it, the more I agree with Isaak-Gabriel in that that climb looks more like the Camperona than Pena Cabarga. A sheer pacing and power climb. Hillier build up too.

If the contenders are truly targeting red, they might be thinking about attacking before that final climb. If not they'd be wagering heavily on the assumption that the heat will get to Quintana.

 

[Jungle Cycle]

The way Quintana lost every one but Brambila from his wheel the last 7,5km, after a very hard pace of the break on Formigal i dont think he'll be drop by any gc.. this looks like everyone for himself and i think Froome is a really hard proud opponent and will not just "ride wheels" until 200m like Valverde does...
it will be gaps...

 

[Robert5091]

Re: 2016 Vuelta a España, stage 17: Castellón > Mas de la Co

It'll be really warm today - sweaty day for all.

 

[armchairclimber]

Beautiful scenery....absolutely dog rough road surface on that final climb. In the current heatwave it will be brutal. The popcorn's in already.
Chaves for the win pretty please. I hope Froome/Contador take time on Quintana... put him under pressure, purely because it will be nice to have some jeopardy in the final week.

 

[Singer01]

Re:

By logic, Contador should be the most fresh one, having not finished the Tour nore done the Olympics. No Giro in the legs either.
But then again, he did crash quite a lot lately, which isn't helping.

Will be an interesting stage, and race is still wide open, remember Giro?[/quote]
i don't think a race is wide open where the only likely scenario where a change of leadership is going to happen is the leader crashing.

if Quintana does crash out or blow up (very unlikely) then it becomes wide open due to next to nothing separating the next 3 contenders.

 

[MacBAir]

Let me just tell you this, so you are ready:

- Movistar is still Movistar. The same team that couldn't protect Nairo in the last thousand editions of the Tour any time someone put the hammer down on the crosswinds. Sunday he just was on the right place, at the right time.

Froome is a very offensive rider. Quintana by himself can't follow riders like him on the flattish parts. All we need to happen happened in any single tour. Yes, Froome is very tired after a long and successful season. Yes, Sky isn't the same. But all he needs is Alberto to fancy his chances. Alberto always fancies his chances.

Froome might be thinking: "If only Sagan or Cancellara were here...". I hope Froome listens to some Rage Against the Machine before the stage: Burn, burn, yes ya are gonna burn!

 

[Miburo]

This Contador is different than the one in the tour of 2013 or 2015, this time it's not halfassed attacks. Sunday was the real deal.

He's gonna do anything he can to win, Nibali normally never really improves in a GT;

Contador normally never improves too but Nibal proved everyone wrong in the giro, maybe

 

[jens_attacks]

even if it was epic, it would break my heart if alberto gifted the race to nairo.

i hope movistar do a PDM today. and sky a Discovery-after Gerardmer

 

[jens_attacks]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CrvnlTSXgAAMeb9.jpg


war face ON.

time to win this bike race.

 

[memyselfandI]

Re:

even if it was epic, it would break my heart if alberto gifted the race to nairo.

i hope movistar do a PDM today. and sky a Discovery-after Gerardmer

i hope Dawg goes Floyd Landis solo today :lol: well not really

i hope Bertie and Dawg take and fancy their chanches

 

[samhocking]

I'm hoping for some more Froome Ventoux impressions on Mas de la Costa
https://www.facebook.com/ciclismoafondo.es/videos/10154508684679494/?pnref=story

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CrvnlTSXgAAMeb9.jpg


war face ON.

time to win this bike race.

 

[Jelantik]

Re: 2016 Vuelta a España, stage 17: Castellón > Mas de la Co

With the ITT looming, I had marked this stage as a potentially key moment. It will be defining. for sure, Ellisonde will try to go for early KOM points, but on the GC side, the final climb offers all sorts of scenarii. Froome's opponents smell blood, so he has to show strength. He'll be attacked. Quintana is in the driver seat. Contador will make a move and if Dawg shows any sign of weakness, feeding frenzy...I can't wait.

On paper, the TDF leg/Olympics should take an effect this wee. But we are talking about Froome. He is harder to kill than a new your cockroach. His yo-yoing style can't be underestimated. He probably motor up again with high speed. Quintana will just hanging dear life behind him. Bertie will bleed more time since so far he got dropped a lot. (I hope he proofs me wrong this time). He and Chaves probably will battle it out.

 

[Enrico Gimondi]

Re: 2016 Vuelta a España, stage 17: Castellón > Mas de la Co

Tejay Van Garderen has abandoned the race.

Tejay gonna Tejay...


‏@BMCProTeam #lv2016 we have confirmation from the DS car that @tejay_van has abandoned the race. More details to come.

 

[StuyvenFan]

Re: 2016 Vuelta a España, stage 17: Castellón > Mas de la Co

Tejay Van Garderen has abandoned the race.

Tejay gonna Tejay...


‏@BMCProTeam #lv2016 we have confirmation from the DS car that @tejay_van has abandoned the race. More details to come.

Doesn't he have a baby on the way? Could have something to do with that, either way he hasn't ridden well at all in this race and abandoning is probably for the best.

 

[MacBAir]

I almost had an heart attack! I finished my lunch and was afraid that Eurosport was already showing the stage live, and when I turned the TV on I was on my phone (so no TV sound) and saw Contador doing a monster attack.

Only 10s after turning the sound on and ruthlessly hanging the call did I realize that Eurosport was showing highlights from the race so far

 

[seldon71]

What a perfect break to let go...

1) the best overall "contenders" in it are Marcel Wyss & Haimar Zubeldia. If the gap gets completely out of hand, they may threaten Bakelants' 20th position.

2) if Bouet manages to bridge, only Giant-Alpecin would have missed it edit : He did.

3) there is not even a Polka Dot-threat in it. Not enough points left in the race for Gesink I think...

4) Sky has a good chance for a stage win out of this group with König. They don't need to pursue... Ditto for Astana (Cataldo). Movistar is happy with bonuses wrapped up. Orica spent?

 

[armchairclimber]

Looks like it Mas de la Costa has been resurfaced... but it still looks an absolute beast on Flecha's little VT.

 

[Irondan]

Re: 2016 Vuelta a España, stage 17: Castellón > Mas de la Co

Tejay Van Garderen has abandoned the race.

Tejay gonna Tejay...


‏@BMCProTeam #lv2016 we have confirmation from the DS car that @tejay_van has abandoned the race. More details to come.

Doesn't he have a baby on the way? Could have something to do with that, either way he hasn't ridden well at all in this race and abandoning is probably for the best.

Terrible season for TJ this year! I think it was his worst since before his breakout with HTC 2010...

He's got some soul searching to do if he wants to continue as a GC rider, although I'm sure he'll always find someone that will take his points and minor placings in the WT.

This Vuelta was suppose to showcase his stage hunting abilities, but all it shows is that he has some issues holding him back.

 

[broppo]

easy win for gesink