75ª Volta a Portugal 7-18 August 2013 (2.1)

[Ryo Hazuki]

btw just wondering. has portugal gotten a boost in cycling since costa's tour wins?

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Ricardo Vilela gets on the front of a pink train. Now people are getting shredded from this one, including the camisola amarela. Hugo Sabido dropped!!!

 

[Libertine Seguros]

No Sérgio Sousa or Nuno Ribeiro in the group - the four Efapel men are Rui Sousa, Vilela, Durán and Brôco.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

No Sérgio Sousa or Nuno Ribeiro in the group - the four Efapel men are Rui Sousa, Vilela, Durán and Brôco.

there are 6 efapel, nuno is there but no sergio sousa, he dropped

 

[Parrulo]

btw just wondering. has portugal gotten a boost in cycling since costa's tour wins?

I think the interest has certainly increased a bit, particularly from the young population. But we would need more results from more riders to generate enough interest to actually make a difference.

The youngest rider of the Volta has just been dropped. Nice ride by Nuno Bico who is only 19!!!

 

[Libertine Seguros]

there are 6 efapel, nuno is there but no sergio sousa, he dropped

Yea, cameras picked up Nuno yo-yoing at the back shortly after I wrote that. The four at the pacemaking end are as stated though.

 

[Broth3r]

btw just wondering. has portugal gotten a boost in cycling since costa's tour wins?

Let me put it this way: there's three major sports newspapers here, and between both of his wins he got exactly one headline, and even that one was shared.

Costa's wins may reap profit in the future, when and if the next gen or riders brings cycling even more public awareness, but as it is right now the Volta is more watched by people who want to go OMG THAT'S MY COUSIN'S HOMETOWN, and retirees and housewifes who carried on from the pre-race show.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I think the interest has certainly increased a bit, particularly from the young population. But we would need more results from more riders to generate enough interest to actually make a difference.

The youngest rider of the Volta has just been dropped. Nice ride by Nuno Bico who is only 19!!!

This Volta is a big step in the right direction though. Better course, more Portuguese teams, and a not spectacular but at least solid list of teams from elsewhere.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Virgilio Santos starts the attacks, and Vilela and Durán now both find their way to the back of the group. Ribeiro is with Wyss. Rui Sousa still at the front with one helper, presumably Brôco.

 

[Parrulo]

More freds than usual on the climb

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

I hope again portugse football teams go sponsor cycling teams. that would be good. the races this year are alreayd a lot better and more than last years

 

[Parrulo]

Broco at the back of the group?

Seems like Sousa really is efapel's bet for the volta

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Pardilla goes! Surely this has to draw a reaction?!

Durán now starting to struggle at the back of the lead group. Pardilla catches and drops Santos...

 

[Parrulo]

Seems like Pardilla will take it fairly easily

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Ex-Movistars performing well today.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Brôco now takes up pacemaking duties, but I can't believe they've let Pardilla go this easily. And seriously, Efapel, Rui freaking Sousa is your big GC hope? In a team as stacked as you have?

 

[Lupetto]

Pardilla looks like he is on a training ride.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

pardilla 3 levels above the rest, which is normal to me as well.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Brôco now takes up pacemaking duties, but I can't believe they've let Pardilla go this easily. And seriously, Efapel, Rui freaking Sousa is your big GC hope? In a team as stacked as you have?

wow. was the gap[ really 43 seconds or did pardilla blow?

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Nah, I think that was an error.

Still, look how much more decisive this climb is when you design a proper stage to it.

 

[Parrulo]

wow. was the gap[ really 43 seconds or did pardilla blow?

I think he blew up. he was pedalling squares for the last 300ish meters.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

I think he blew up. he was pedalling squares for the last 300ish meters.

that's what I thought too

 

[Parrulo]

Really pains me to see the old dodgy guard still on top

 

[Lupetto]

1 Pardilla
2 Pinto
3 Sousa
4 Veloso
5 Broco
6 D Silva
7 Santos
8 Gorbunov
9 Marque
10 Fernandez

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Really pains me to see the old dodgy guard still on top

Yes, seems to be a lot of support for Rui Sousa going on, you'd have thought Portuguese cycling would have learnt its lessons on following aging dopers by now, but clearly not.