Vuelta a España 2022 Vuelta a España - stage 8: La Pola Llaviana - Collau Fancuaya. 153.4km. Mountain

[Tonton]

Long enough to catch up and drill others off his wheel on the last steep sections. As he has done on all similar climbs be it giro 2021 Sega di Ala, Catalunya, or Burgos.

But all those was on altitude or near altitude. This one isn't.

I see where you're going, but to me he should stay put, some will lose a minute or more and he doesn't want to be one of them.

 

[noob]

The profile of the last climb doesn’t suit him. I expect him to be in surviving mode again
[/QUOTE

How? It might be my noob self just cannot "read" climb profiles yet, despite sitting and looking at different sections and percentages for half an hour. I might be a climb profile hyperlectic. Or I am not just used enough to know what to look for

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

On average and at first glance, if you cut out the two flat-ish km of Pico Jano half-way, both length and average gradient of today's climb looks similar. But the steeper sections are closer to the top this time around.

 

[groogster]

Because of the lower gradients in the first half of the climb (first 6k of the total 10) with the exception of 1k around 12% have gradients around 6% that will probably make him lose the wheel of guys like Remco, Yates, Roglic. The final 4k will suit him better but not enough to catch them imo.
He tends to excel in deeper steady gradients like in Sega di Ala

 

[groogster]

Just to add to all being said, it seems to me that his form is also not the greatest at this point, maybe he can build up to be a little better towards the 2nd half. If he can be with the best GC riders tomorrow and Sunday and then have a average Almeida itt he will only lose time to Remco and Roglic and maybe we will see the better version of him towards the end of this Vuelta but by then he could be very far of the top 3 to make a difference . So in my eyes, survive this weekend by not losing time to the top3, and then put it all in the itt.

 

[Ari]

He said before the Vuelta Started, that his form was not the best yet. So i agree with you, we might see a strong Almeida on second/third week.
Apart from Jokes, i really think he is still one of the top favourites for top 3.

 

[noob]

Because of the lower gradients in the first half of the climb (first 6k of the total 10) with the exception of 1k around 12% have gradients around 6% that will probably make him lose the wheel of guys like Remco, Yates, Roglic. The final 4k will suit him better but not enough to catch them imo.
He tends to excel in deeper steady gradients like in Sega di Ala

The Burgos climb also had low gradients in the beginning? Plus almost flat in 2 km in the middle?

I am just trying to learn how to read profiles. Almeida is still partly an enigma to me which is possibly the main reason I like him

 

[noob]

He said before the Vuelta Started, that his form was not the best yet. So i agree with you, we might see a strong Almeida on second/third week.
Apart from Jokes, i really think he is still one of the top favourites for top 3.

I think 4

We don't know how Ayuso (and the others) will do as if I remember correctly he has a good TT nowadays too? Even if I admit I would be really surprised if Ayuso finishes above Almeida.

 

[groogster]

The Burgos climb also had low gradients in the beginning? Plus almost flat in 2 km in the middle?

I am just trying to learn how to read profiles. Almeida is still partly an enigma to me which is possibly the main reason I like him

yes you are surely right about Lagunas de Neila being similar in profile to tomorrow’s final
Climb and he did well there but since I follow Almeida he tends more then not to be in trouble with those type of climbing profiles against guys like Yates, Roglic or Remco.

 

[groogster]

I think 4

We don't know how Ayuso (and the others) will do as if I remember correctly he has a good TT nowadays too? Even if I admit I would be really surprised if Ayuso finishes above Almeida.

Not bad TT for a GC guy but not as good as Almeida. He will probably lose around 30 seconds there to Almeida.

 

[KZD]

The final climb doesn't suit Remco as well this time around but I still think that he will attack so it will be interesting to see if he can do a similar damage as in Pico Jano.

 

[houtdffan]

This weekend are the two stages the challengers have to take time out of Remco. That's it. The TT is Remcoland. The summit finishes late next week are far friendlier to Remco than this one. The third week is all shallow gradient diesel climbs

If Remco leads after Sunday, I don't see where he can be beaten. A Fuente De raid likely won't work against him

 

[search]

this is still unpaved at the top, right?! Or did they restore the road in whatever way?

edit: looks okay on RTVE's preview. Some kind of compressed gravel or something like that

2022-08-26_El rodillo - Programa 401

Watch "2022-08-26_El rodillo - Programa 401" on Streamable.

streamable.com

 

[Extinction]

Truely this weekend shall be a tough haul, not only for Remco, who will have everything but the kitchen sink thrown his way, but all the GC contenders. Having read the recent CN article about the back-to-back mountain top finishes, of further concern is that preceding the final ascent of both stages are treacherous run-ins (Delgado docet), consisting of narrow twisty road in today's stage and a harrowing descent tomorrow. So let's just hope everyone stays upright, for nothing is worse for bike racing than to see contenders hitting the tarmac.

Bar incident, however (fingers crossed), much speculation is being made over if Remco can withstand the expected onslaught against his redness. However, another fair question, based on stage 6's evidence, is who among his rivals has got the legs to drop him? As none at the moment appear to, it would take Evenepoel to have a sans jour for it happen. We'll find out is all that's for sure.

 

[movingtarget]

Obviously Hindley is prepping specifically for the Vuelta so a few months ago doesn't mean much. But I would be surprised to see him challenge Remco. So far Hindley doesn't look stronger than his teammates - Kelderman and Yates. But despite winning a sprint on Blockhaus neither did he look stronger than Kelderman in the Giro until the final week.

What we do know is Hindley will be strong in the final week, questions remain unanswered on Remco.

Still think Hindley is an unknown with the two GTs in one season but there will also be questions about Remco sustaining his form over three weeks. So far the Giro riders have not looked that good which is a little unusual. Carapaz and Landa have struggled and Hindley so far doesn't quite look as good but its early days. The final week could see some reversals. Some riders have given indications that they have the Worlds more on their minds than this race and maybe have trained and raced with that in mind.

 

[Laplaz]

Vay Jine will win this bike race.

 

[Pantani_lives]

The Fancuaya will be an important test for Evenepoel. It only counts as first category, because it's relatively short and in the middle mountains. However it's very irregular, with some very steep parts. That isn't the kind of climb that suits him best. On the other hand I don't really see which riders in the current riders in the top 10 excell on this kind of climb. It should suit Carapaz, but he gave a weak impression on Thursday. Important on a climb like that is to find a regular pace on a small gear without forcing it too much. I don't think the Vuelta will be decided today, but we will get a better view on who the real contenders are.

 

[ice&fire]

I have updated the OP with a more detailed profile of the final climb and a video preview. As @Pantani_lives says, it is very irregular.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Starts at 12 GMT so I assume they are showing it from the start

Good of the Vuelta organisers to save us from having to watch the United game at 12:30 too

 

[Riek s]

I have updated the OP with a more detailed profile of the final climb and a video preview. As @Pantani_lives says, it is very irregular.

Thanks.

I seems that the worst part (longest/steepest) is 5km from the finish. So it needs to be seen who of the GC would go from that far out already, especially because right after it is a small descent/flatter section.

If the GC sticks together, i think the final 600meters have roglic all written over it.

 

[Riek s]

Weather forecast:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1563450613194948610

View: https://twitter.com/ammattipyoraily/status/1563450613194948610?cxt=HHwWhIDQ9ZKDv7IrAAAA

 

[DJ Sprtsch]

Two DSM riders tested positive, Arndt and Donovan.
Crossing fingers for the rest of the team!

 

[noob]

Weather forecast:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1563450613194948610

View: https://twitter.com/ammattipyoraily/status/1563450613194948610?cxt=HHwWhIDQ9ZKDv7IrAAAA

That looks crazy chaotic and unpredictable :O

 

[Valv.Piti]

On average and at first glance, if you cut out the two flat-ish km of Pico Jano half-way, both length and average gradient of today's climb looks similar. But the steeper sections are closer to the top this time around.

I dont think that profile makes the climb justice, I find it looks harder when you see the climbs on cyclingcols. This climb is definitely one step up from Pico Jano.

 

[RedheadDane]

Stewart out with gastro issues. Wasn't that also what he was dealing with at the beginning of the year?