57th Vuelta al Pais Vasco 3-8 April 2017

[Cance > TheRest]

Re:

Impressive win by Roglic helped by the fact that no one wanted to lead out the sprint !

I'd say it was a smart win on his part considering that he was nearly caught and only had 30-40 meters 2km's from the finish line. He could have just given up at that moment, but instead he pressed on, knowing that at some point it was going to be tactical behind, since De La Cruz wasn't going to lead the peloton all the way.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Re:

"Alberto Contador, after a crash, a mechanical, and a puncture on yesterday's stage, has punctured inside the neutralised zone..." better there then near the finish!

just practicing for later

 

[HelloDolly]

Some strong riders in the break including Mas, Ten Dam, Montaguti, Monford, Frile, Machado , etc

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

"Alberto Contador, after a crash, a mechanical, and a puncture on yesterday's stage, has punctured inside the neutralised zone..." better there then near the finish!

just practicing for later

He's perfecting his wheel and bike changing technique

 

[can3478]

Abandonment of Julian Alaphilippe with knee pain.
http://www.lequipe.fr/Cyclisme-sur-route/Actualites/Alaphilippe-renonce-a-poursuivre-le-tour-du-pays-basque/791272

 

[fauniera]

Re:

Some strong riders in the break including Mas, Ten Dam, Montaguti, Monfort, Fraile, Machado , etc

Mas Bonet that is, not Enric Mas.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Machado has dropped back

 

[70kmph]

Might as well show-off at the front with 70K

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Break over with 54km remaining (according to CN ticker): some sort of a record?

 

[rick james]

Orica look up for it

 

[rick james]

Spilak fighting to get back to the Peloton

 

[rick james]

lol, crazy fan

 

[rick james]

great crowds

 

[therhodeo]

Re:

great crowds

And quite well behaved so far. Good on them for leaving a good path.

 

[sir fly]

It's going to be mad on Arrate with all the fans and 20+ guys fighting for the placements.

 

[Brullnux]

I keep seeing Bilbo being written on websites - can someone confirm that this is a mistake and it's still Bilbao, and that there isn't a Lord of the Rings-loving mayor who decide to change the name?

 

[RedheadDane]

Re: Re:

great crowds

And quite well behaved so far. Good on them for leaving a good path.

And actually looking downhill - at the riders - rather than uphill - at the camera-moto.

 

[tobydawq]

Re:

I keep seeing Bilbo being written on websites - can someone confirm that this is a mistake and it's still Bilbao, and that there isn't a Lord of the Rings-loving mayor who decide to change the name?

It's the (surprisingly straightforward) Basque name of the city.

 

[dirkprovin]

This is one very long turn on the front by young Haig; if nothing else its at least an indication that he may be of distinct value at whichever GT(s) he's sent to this season

 

[70kmph]

Uh oh, switching bikes...

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Orica pulling
but no ones dropping much
yet

 

[Arredondo]

It's been a horrible PV. So dull.

And that's partly because there are no muro's in this years edition. Itzulia normally breathes steep climbs. Without them, this race loses so much of its value/presence.

Also the stages they designed, do not invite really attacking and inspiring racing. It explains why guys like Valverde opt to race conservatively.

A shame really. Because normally Itzulia is the best stage race of the year

 

[Valv.Piti]

Pretty much everyone races conservatively... also has a lot to do with the stage order.

But yeah. Comparing this race to Paris - Nice is pretty sad. Catalunya was better as well - it at least had time gaps.

But this race is close, so this is 'exciting'.
And shorter stages makes for better racing.
And it doesn't matter if the route isn't good, the riders make the race.
etc. etc.

 

[WheelofGear]

Terrible race design.

PV is normally one of the most entertaining one-week races.

 

[WheelofGear]

Re:

Terrible race design.

PV is normally one of the most entertaining one-week races.

Last year, no sprinters won any stages. This is what Pais Vasco is supposed to be like.