The overuse of low-gradient climbs and soft medium mountain stages (in the third week) is great for Evenepoel. Pog may like it too, if he races. Regardless of who shows up, I think it will inspire some good racing.
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The overuse of low-gradient climbs and soft medium mountain stages (in the third week) is great for Evenepoel. Pog may like it too, if he races. Regardless of who shows up, I think it will inspire some good racing.
It's easy to say that but in reality the "low gradient medium mountain stage" kind of 3rd weeks have usually worked really well in the Vuelta so I won't complain before it actually ends up boring.
After we suffer through the terribly boring stages in the Netherlands, Stages 4 to 10 are OK for GT start.
Medium mountain stages can be good if they're difficult throughout most here leave no chance for anything to happen until the final climb. After Stage 10, you got 2 unwatchable stages (ITT and sprint). Then...
-> Stage 12 is a waste of a mountain stage, lucky if we get any action before the last 3 km. Then sprint/break stage.
-> Stage 14 and Stage 15: See Stage 12. Then another break/reduced sprint.
-> Stage 17: See Stage 12.
-> Stage 18: At least is has 2 mountains, but still no likely action until mid-way up the finishing climb.
-> Stage 19: Host-finishing municipality paid a premium for max exposure? Break or 30-rider sprint.
-> Stage 20: OK medium mountain stage. Best stage of the last 2 weeks, which says a lot about the horribleness of the route.
Medium mountain stages can be good if they're difficult throughout most here leave no chance for anything to happen until the final climb. After Stage 10, you got 2 unwatchable stages (ITT and sprint). Then...
-> Stage 12 is a waste of a mountain stage, lucky if we get any action before the last 3 km. Then sprint/break stage.
-> Stage 14 and Stage 15: See Stage 12. Then another break/reduced sprint.
-> Stage 17: See Stage 12.
-> Stage 18: At least is has 2 mountains, but still no likely action until mid-way up the finishing climb.
-> Stage 19: Host-finishing municipality paid a premium for max exposure? Break or 30-rider sprint.
-> Stage 20: OK medium mountain stage. Best stage of the last 2 weeks, which says a lot about the horribleness of the route.
Fair enough, if they ride it like the Tour it‘ll be interesting, but if not, it could end up very boring.
That is a terrible change.
Literally the only reason I was excited about Sierra Nevada was that they took the harder Las Sabinas road.
Oh, FFS, so the A-395 instead of Collada de las Sabinas.
This is the difference between the two routes, they've switched from the one on the right to the one on the left.
So it'll be basically the same stage as they did in 2017, only swapping Hazallanas and El Purche.
This is the difference between the two routes, they've switched from the one on the right to the one on the left.
So it'll be basically the same stage as they did in 2017, only swapping Hazallanas and El Purche.
Unipublic never disappoints with the disappointment.
Tbh, they didn't need this update to be the worst GT route of the year and the worst Vuelta route in years.
The website still contains the old profile, but the roadbook is up to date.
Tbh, they didn't need this update to be the worst GT route of the year and the worst Vuelta route in years.
The website still contains the old profile, but the roadbook is up to date.
Well, I see where that comical Evenepoel gc favorite talk comes from now. There's not a single proper mountain stage for him to lose 15 minutes.
The route is not extremely backloaded like the Giro, so that lends to more last ditch attacks latter in the race. Not the best Vuelta profile, but better than the Giro.
I almost hope that the Vuelta this year will be the lamest in decades, so they do something new with the route next year.........
Good pacing of stages along the three weeks is not enough for making a good route. This Vuelta fails miserably at individual stage design. There are too many stages where they deliberately avoid the best route to the chosen stage finish. The downgraded Sierra Nevada is just an in-your-face example of "we can do better but we won't" for those who missed the rest.
Don't you mean ASO?
ASO has owned the Vuelta for about 10 years
Wouldn't be surprised if Prudhomme asked for that change
Anyone who was read interviews with those involved in the Vuelta route or individual stage design is aware of every actor's ideas on the subject.
Guillén doesn't need external pressure for this change. I can make the bold prediction that he's done it to keep in his sleeve the card of the Hazallanas + A-4025 side and come back in a few years hyping "a new harder side to Sierra Nevada"
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