37° Volta ao Algarve 2011 (708k) Feb 16 to 20

[Libertine Seguros]

libertine if you could get more info about that climb(where it is and what route must bet used to get there) i would be glad to email the organization about it. even tho the result would most likely be me being ignored <_<

Here's how I'd approach it:

Strength in numbers, let's all try and persuade them!

Given the shape of my Volta then the likelihood is that I'd be approaching it from the North or West. I have gone for West, and would start the important parts of the stage from Arouca.

The first thing I'd do is then climb to Sra. da Mó. This is at 711m, but I wouldn't climb the whole way as it would be a pointless dead end. The road that runs past reaches about 680 then descends eastward.

I'd then descend to Ponte de Telhe. Follow the road up, up and up on a very long and gradual ascent to Portal do Inferno (ca. 975m) on the Serra da Arada.

Enjoy an image of this delightful road:

Staying on this road will take you all the way to São Macário, but this isn't the way we want to go. So much like going to Piornos then turning right to descend toward Gouveia, before riding to Seia and climbing all the way to Torre on the opposite side of the Serra da Estrela, we will turn left towards Covas do Monte. From there we will descend down to Covas do Rio. From there, a relatively small and shallow ascent to the village of Gafanhão before getting on the 559, which will descend all the way into São Pedro do Sul and the base of the climb to São Macário. The route I've drawn up, from Arouca to the Alto de São Macário, is approximately 65km long, with four categorised climbs (five if you split Serra da Arada and Portal do Inferno).

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/28458576/

São Pedro do Sul is about 25km north north west of Viseu and about 10km south west of Castro Daire. The peak of the climb is another 10km up from this.

http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serra_de_São_Macário

 

[Winterfold]

Tony Martin has some GC potential, but I think he is more in the Mick Rogers mould than anything else. He's a world-class ITT talent, and he can climb pretty well, but not on the really tough ascents. I'd be surprised if he develops in to a Grand Tour winner, but I'd also be surprised if he didn't win at least a few big one-week races when the course suits him.

I can't quite work out just how good he is.

His face as he clawed his way back into contention on Ventoux in 2009 epitomises the suffering of cycling big mountains more than anything I've seen on TV - it really looked how I felt on those last kms of Ventoux. Then he went to the front and handed it to Garate - agh impetuous youth.

 

[Mambo95]

Sorry to quote you again, when lots of people had this reaction, but remember Cummings made it to 4th on a mountain stage in the '08 Giro. This isn't a long climb, and it's February. As a Brit, surely he has a natural advantage when it comes to racing when it's cold!

When that poster said 'lol cummings', I got the impression he was laughing at the innuendo of his name, in a Beavis and Butthead kind of way.

Anyway, great to see Steve get a win and a leader's jersey. Apparently he's a really good bloke and everyone seems to speak highly of him.

I doubt he'll hang on for a GC win, but I have no doubt he'll put up a good fight. Fingers crossed for a podium finish.

 

[Parrulo]

When that poster said 'lol cummings', I got the impression he was laughing at the innuendo of his name, in a Beavis and Butthead kind of way.

Anyway, great to see Steve get a win and a leader's jersey. Apparently he's a really good bloke and everyone seems to speak highly of him.

I doubt he'll hang on for a GC win, but I have no doubt he'll put up a good fight. Fingers crossed for a podium finish.

i was laughing cus i never thought he could pull something like this(i knew who he is)

tho i must admit the innuendo did cross my head, "cummings right on every1's face" that was one of the ones i thought <_< i have a dirty mind

 

[Anonymous]

Video of today is now up
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWbBsb3dmoc

 

[Parrulo]

ty for the link dim

i can give a small tranlation of tiago's interview.

he said he was sorry for disappointing his team and that he hoped he could have done better. still this year he has a goal on his mind and he is working hard for it so he isn't as strong during the early season.

so will that goal be the giro? the tour? or the vuelta? how things are setting up he has better chances of a good place in the tour then in the giro cus the giro will have an awesome field this year

 

[The Hitch]

Video in the finish Line and a little interview to Contador...

Is in spanish so... If you can understand spanish take a look =D

The interviews are one of the reasons why i like Contador. Down to earth, he always handles himself well, answers all the questions calmly. And his voice is like a child.

 

[Parrulo]

The interviews are one of the reasons why i like Contador. Down to earth, he always handles himself well, answers all the questions calmly. And his voice is like a child.

do you happen to be a priest?

 

[The Hitch]

do you happen to be a priest?

You dont know who the man smoking in my avatar is do you

 

[Parrulo]

Christopher Hitchens?

 

[ingsve]

You dont know who the man smoking in my avatar is do you

Must mean you're a self-hating catholic of something.

 

[The Hitch]

Christopher Hitchens?

Yes. And hes not very fond of priests. Or religion. Or God. etc.

ANd while i realise it was a joke regarding the unfortunate subject of priests and children, with the number of Belgians on this boards, it would be better aimed at one of them

self-hating catholic

Or as the rest of the world calls them, just "Catholics"

 

[Jamsque]

Glad we finally have highlights, it was an interesting finale. Contador attacked from 3rd wheel, and when that happens it usually means game over, but he obviously isn't in top form and Tony Martin managed to hang on to his wheel, with Machado and Taaramae for company.

Stephen Cummings didn't make the split, he bridged across on his own. I suspect that means the Contador group must have slowed down. From what he said in the post-race interview it seems like Cummings was Sky's protected rider today. He bridged across and the just sat in the wheels and let the others attack and wear out. Not the most thrilling of victories, but he took full advantage of being the outsider in that group.

 

[Parrulo]

ok i got it now

he is like richard hawkins right?

i am an atheist myself and do believe religions are a bunch of crap and god doesn't exist. so i guess we share the same opinion.

tho u did say u liked contador cus his voice sounded like a child. and thats a bit priestish

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Ángel Vicioso

 

[ingsve]

Glad we finally have highlights, it was an interesting finale. Contador attacked from 3rd wheel, and when that happens it usually means game over, but he obviously isn't in top form and Tony Martin managed to hang on to his wheel, with Machado and Taaramae for company.

Stephen Cummings didn't make the split, he bridged across on his own. I suspect that means the Contador group must have slowed down. From what he said in the post-race interview it seems like he was Sky's protected rider today. He bridged across and the just sat in the wheels and let the others attack and wear out. Not the most thrilling of victories, but he took full advantage of being the outsider in that group.

They had Cummings, Gerrans and Rogers as protected riders.

 

[Parrulo]

i never realized machado was that small. always pictured him as a bigger men. when he is actually the same size as contador

 

[The Hitch]

ok i got it now

he is like richard hawkins right?

Presumably Richard Hawkins would be an atheist in a wheelchair. So not exactly. But kind of. Click the "the Hitch" link in my signature for more info.

 

[Parrulo]

ty for the link
he looks like my kind of guy
any book you recommend?

 

[Ferminal]

Oooh Cummings, Sky's best day ever?

 

[The Hitch]

Oooh Cummings, Sky's best day ever?

So im guessing Sky won in Oman as well. Presumably Steve ebh. Oh well it will be interesting to see who came 2nd and how Blanco did.

But id say Giro Amsterdam was better.

Unless Sky got 123 in Oman (please no spoilers on this) in which case im wrong.

ty for the link
he looks like my kind of guy
any book you recommend?

I like his debates and speeches more than his books. But for an atheist this and (more controversial and edgy) this.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

You actually managed to stay of twitter, out of the Oman topic, out of the CN news page, and out of the other cycling news sites?

Impressive. That's dedication.

Have fun watching Oman tomorrow then

 

[Anonymous]

You actually managed to stay of twitter, out of the Oman topic, out of the CN news page, and out of the other cycling news sites?

Impressive. That's dedication.

Have fun watching Oman tomorrow then

Highlights of Oman are online if you cant wait till then.

 

[The Hitch]

You actually managed to stay of twitter, out of the Oman topic, out of the CN news page, and out of the other cycling news sites?

Impressive. That's dedication.

Have fun watching Oman tomorrow then

Ive even stayed away from any thread i figured might discuss Oman (other than this one) especially these new threads appearing from knowhere discussing the potential of Cancellara, Haussler and US navy seals.

I was thinking maybe Spartacus or Barbie won, but if it was Sky maybe its just TSF taunting ozzies that Sky have the next gt rider instead.

At least i can guess that TGAK didnt do to well or there the usual suspect would have a "is Alexander Kristoff a future gt champion" thread by now

 

[The Hitch]

Highlights of Oman are online if you cant wait till then.

What language and how long are the highlights?

(please dont say "Dutch")