2016 Vuelta a España, stage 18: Requena > Gandía 200.6km

[Samamba]

Great to see Rolland finally doing something instead of just wheelsucking the other breakaway riders like he normally does.

 

[dgodave]

Re:

A lot of excitement for this stage, clearly.

Days like this they should show more buildings.

 

[capuldemetal]

crosswinds!

 

[huangho]

And there's a small gap!!

 

[huangho]

Breakaway fading badly... Meersman FTW!

 

[Cance > TheRest]

Re: Re:

A lot of excitement for this stage, clearly.

Days like this they should show more buildings.

Puente Ronda Oeste (a bridge) on the screen right now!

 

[Scarponi]

Re:

crosswinds!

Got excited reading this then saw only three replies after

 

[DFA123]

This stage would be much more interesting if there was a murito at the end.

 

[huangho]

1:39 for the break...

PS: Zzzzzz

 

[Jungle Cycle]

this have 1 more forum page that it deserves...

 

[Scarponi]

Re:

this have 1 more forum page that it deserves...

Not even a full page of live discussion brutal

 

[carton]

Re:

This stage would be much more interesting if there was a murito at the end.

LOL. I actually agree. Although I wouldn't mind a sprint if there were any, you know, actual world-class sprinters in this field.

 

[lenric]

Thrilling stage.

 

[Alexandre B.]

Why are they hyping Loic Chetout for the stage win?

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

This stage would be much more interesting if there was a murito at the end.

LOL. I actually agree. Although I wouldn't mind a sprint if there were any, you know, actual world-class sprinters in this field.

Indeed, that's the thing. If you're going to create a GT route that is so unattractive to any half decent sprinter; you might as well go the whole way and not include any sprint stages.

I can't believe anyone is getting too excited over whether Meersman, Arndt or Drucker will come out on top today. Probably not even themselves.

 

[Ariadne]

Re: Re:

This stage would be much more interesting if there was a murito at the end.

LOL. I actually agree. Although I wouldn't mind a sprint if there were any, you know, actual world-class sprinters in this field.

Indeed, that's the thing. If you're going to create a GT route that is so unattractive to any half decent sprinter; you might as well go the whole way and not include any sprint stages.

I can't believe anyone is getting too excited over whether Meersman, Arndt or Drucker will come out on top today. Probably not even themselves.

Meersman may care, he could win a bike http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/vuelta-a-espana-terpstra-creates-internal-points-competition-to-motivate-etixx-teammates/ he's probably alone though.

 

[carolina]

keukeleire again?

edit: nope! magnus cort!

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Great finale with a fantastic long distance sprint winner. Congrats to Cort.

 

[PremierAndrew]

Nielsen.

That's three for Orica this Vuelta right?

 

[Cance > TheRest]

Cort with a long sprint there!
Great!

 

[Carstenbf]

Yay, BigMag with the first of many!!

 

[carton]

Re: Re:

Indeed, that's the thing. If you're going to create a GT route that is so unattractive to any half decent sprinter; you might as well go the whole way and not include any sprint stages.

Yeah, but trade-offs, though. You're going to need the flat stages to get places that paid money to host stages. And maybe there's crosswinds. And, you know, variety is the spice of life. In this case it's like when you bite down on a clove, but whatever.

But anyone who says the muritos are the worst should be forced to watch this stage on loop.

Meersman may care, he could win a bike http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/vuelta-a-espana-terpstra-creates-internal-points-competition-to-motivate-etixx-teammates/ he's probably alone though.

That's a nice little inside scoop for Madrid.

Also, chapeau to Maggie C. Somewhere, CheckMyPecs is smiling. Or one of his other alter-egos.

 

[dirkprovin]

Re:

Nielsen.

That's three for Orica this Vuelta right?

Yep, that's right. Very happy to see him snag this win as he's had an excellent first GT. Not only is he finishing it strongly, with this win as a bonus, but he's been part of two major breaks and a key contributor to the St14 coup.

Looking longer term, he may end up being of more utility to OBE than the likes of Ewan. Ewan is essentially a bunch kick rider and therefore resource intensive (needs lead out) which will conflict with your GC focus. Cort has far greater survivability in the mountains and far greater utility as a domestique.

This will no doubt add to his price-tag come contract time next year but he certainly seems to be another young rider thriving in this team.

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

Indeed, that's the thing. If you're going to create a GT route that is so unattractive to any half decent sprinter; you might as well go the whole way and not include any sprint stages.

Yeah, but trade-offs, though. You're going to need the flat stages to get places that paid money to host stages. And maybe there's crosswinds. And, you know, variety is the spice of life. In this case it's like when you bite down on a clove, but whatever.

But anyone who says the muritos are the worst should be forced to watch this stage on loop.

Lol, you're right. But today was indeed a pretty nasty clove, with a lingering bitter taste in the mouth.

 

[yaco]

Re: Re:

Nielsen.

That's three for Orica this Vuelta right?

Yep, that's right. Very happy to see him snag this win as he's had an excellent first GT. Not only is he finishing it strongly, with this win as a bonus, but he's been part of two major breaks and a key contributor to the St14 coup.

Looking longer term, he may end up being of more utility to OBE than the likes of Ewan. Ewan is essentially a bunch kick rider and therefore resource intensive (needs lead out) which will conflict with your GC focus. Cort has far greater survivability in the mountains and far greater utility as a domestique.

This will no doubt add to his price-tag come contract time next year but he certainly seems to be another young rider thriving in this team.

Actually OBE see Cort as a classics rider - Long term Paris Roubaix, MSR, Gent Warelgem etc - Of course he needs to improve another one or two levels - Cort has been very impressive in his first GT and showed plenty of versatility - Was supposed to ride the Eneco Tour but that could now be doubtful - Ewan getting little support in the Tour of Britain even though he is sprinting well - Doesn't help that Edmondson and Hepburn are unable to keep up with the peleton.