82nd Volta a Portugal em Bicicleta Santander (August 4-15)

[RedheadDane]

Both this race and especially l'Avenir with two weekend time trials got it totally wrong.

Ladies in Norway didn't get the memo either...

 

[Ricco']

Apparently Amaro Antunes didn't like the lack of work by Joni Brandão, who sat on the last places of the group while João Rodrigues did all the work.

Before acknowledging the presence of the TV cameras he even refused to hug Brandão, according to RTP.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Ladies in Norway didn't get the memo either...

I don't think there has ever been an ITT in any of the currently existing Norwegian races (The Tours of Norway, Tour des Fjords and the Arctic Race). They do have the Hafjell race though.

 

[RedheadDane]

I don't think there has ever been an ITT in any of the currently existing Norwegian races (The Tours of Norway, Tour des Fjords and the Arctic Race)

Then surely today would've been the perfect time to start!

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Then surely today would've been the perfect time to start!

Sure. From the little we know, it doesn't seem like there will be an ITT in the first edition of the Battle of the North either.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Apparently Amaro Antunes didn't like the lack of work by Joni Brandão, who sat on the last places of the group while João Rodrigues did all the work.

Before acknowledging the presence of the TV cameras he even refused to hug Brandão, according to RTP.

Lol, nobody seems to like Brandao at this point.

 

[carolina]

He was never a team player, I don't understand why W52 signed him.

 

[Mayomaniac]

And W52 ride at a tempo that drops Brandao, great stuff!
Figueiredo must love this climb, for the 2nd year in a row he attacks on it. I guess the super steep stuff just suits a 56kg climber like him.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Got a big gap now, reminding me of 2009 with Nuno Ribeiro and João Cabreira getting that big gap before they even arrived at Mondim de Basto. Solid riding by José Félix Parra and Abner González, clearly dropped on the main attacks but mature enough to not panic and ride back into it. With João Rodrigues the only W52 that could go with Carvalho, though, that's not an ideal situation for them behind, but there's very little impetus in the CA group... and just as I say that a bit of an injection of pace from the pack. Not entirely sure what the two up the road are chatting about, Rodrigues being behind Carvalho on GC isn't likely to provide a huge amount of help while the gap is not GC-consequential and W52 still hold yellow.

 

[burning]

Brandao is pulling Marque because, well, god knows why.

Edit: Looks like Efapel thinks Moreira can win this entire thing

 

[Mayomaniac]

Brandao would rather have Marque as a Volta winner than one of his teammates, what a joke!
With Marque being in the front group Efapel actually made the right call and had everyone drop back, that was unexpected!

 

[burning]

Brandao is going to gift the stage and GC to Marque, he is working really hard as his domestique.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Rodrigues has finished doing his job for... well, I presume Brandão?

 

[burning]

Rodrigues is still hanging on with Antunes, I assume Efapel is not going that fast at the moment

And he's dropped just as Brandao is dropping Marque for good

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Brandão needs about 40 seconds minimum to get past Marque on GC plus would historically lose a bit to him in the TT, so he needed to go earlier rather than Purito it, this was the right time.

 

[ice&fire]

Efapel not strong enough to drop the two riders from non-Portuguese teams

 

[burning]

Brandao is actually doing the right thing for his GC, and who cares about Antunes

Efapel not strong enough to drop the two riders from non-Portuguese teams

Yeah, their pace is definitely not high, they are barely gaining on Marque.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Efapel not strong enough to drop the two riders from non-Portuguese teams

They did on the earlier climb, but the two Abarcá guys Sastre'd their way back on. Probably sensible, not wasting energy chasing those attacks when these are the ones that will count. Weird that that approach would come from the two youngest in the mix. I'd say it's to do with higher level teams and the people in the cars coaching tactics, but this is Movistar we're talking about here.

 

[ice&fire]

Brandao can afford the luxury to pick and choose among an assortment of gel bars in his pockets

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Marque starting to suffer with the youngsters at the back. Abner tried to get out the saddle to get past him and take the wheel, and promptly regretted it, settling back in at the back.

 

[burning]

Moreira is finally getting rid of everyone, but Antunes looks way too easy, LOL

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Marque going really threw the younger guys for a loop, they did not have the energy to get around him without losing contact, and once they lost the wheel, they lost the wheel big time.

Mauri thinks he's Melcior Mauri all of a sudden.

Edit: Mechanical Antunes!!! Unbelievable timing!!! Moreira is going to win, lmao

 

[burning]

Moreira is going to win the GC, right?

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Moreira is going to win the GC, right?

Now Marque's dropped, most likely yes. While Marque was still there, I thought W52 and Efapel were going to hand it to Tavira the way Efapel and Tavira handed it to Quinta da Lixa in 2013. He's going to need over 30 seconds on Amaro tomorrow though, but at the moment that seems like it should be child's play for him.

 

[Mayomaniac]

The Moreira Monster was unleashed late, but then he rode like his body was being possessed by Balarcon!