Itzulia Basque Country 2022 April 4-9

[gunara]

Smart or not, deserving or not, there is something heartwarming about that boy's enthusiasm you don't always find in today's peloton where there are lots of riders often look like they regret being pro cyclist. Can't say I'm not annoyed by the hype around him like by none other, ever, but as a viewer I welcome any race Remco's in, he adds a lot to the appeal, in his own way, even when not achieving anything.

 

[Extinction]

I think you are right, it‘s just not common any more.

Ullrich in Yellow did some leadout jobs for Zabel in the 1990ies, and others certainly also.

There is a good story about Pappy Horner, who, riding his first few times in Europe, just couldn‘t believe the GC leaders in Europe don‘t have to help with leadout, chasing breakaways, riding tempo, and so on.

I think in times of marginal gains, Remco probably still wastes too much energy. He‘s young, has fun riding bike races, wants to impress, and so on. So, why not? Sooner or later, he probably will stop these leadouts, these too many hopeless attacks, etc.; in the moment, however, he‘s entertaining. I enjoy watching him, and never complain about him, because he always seems to give 100%…

It has never been common for the GC team leader to do leadout duty for 3 days straight. Or he isn't the GC team leader.

 

[Extinction]

Also it becomes akward when the teams now expect you to start doing that regularly.

Well, this is an unusual race, short, steep punchy climbs, with both preparing for LBL. It hardly makes sense otherwise, apart from Ala going for stages (but 1 of 3 isn't worth sacrificing GC with Remco I don't think), unless this race is just a prep for Liege.

 

[red_flanders]

Smart or not, deserving or not, there is something heartwarming about that boy's enthusiasm you don't always find in today's peloton where there are lots of riders often look like they regret being pro cyclist. Can't say I'm not annoyed by the hype around him like by none other, ever, but as a viewer I welcome any race Remco's in, he adds a lot to the appeal, in his own way, even when not achieving anything.

Spot on. This is what I'm loving about Remco and the new generation in general. They are here to ride, all the time. It's fantastic.

 

[Skijumper Roglic fan]

Well, this is an unusual race, short, steep punchy climbs, with both preparing for LBL. It hardly makes sense otherwise, apart from Ala going for stages (but 1 of 3 isn't worth sacrificing GC with Remco I don't think), unless this race is just a prep for Liege.

I have often asked myself, especially after Wout‘s Tour of Britain and Worlds RR, 2021, what would be ideal to do in races, like here Tour of Britain, being Wout.

Go full gas, win four stages, as he did? Or going 85-95% in the finales?

What should Ala and Remco do in Itzulia, to be perfectly prepared for the Ardennes? Ride like they rode the last days, or accept being dropped in the finales and finish the stages at two minutes from the winner?

Hard to say. I actually rather think going really deep (even maximum deep) oftenly, even daily, in these „preparation races“ is certainly not a mistake. Question will be, what is too much?

Itzulia and FW plus LBL fits well, because they have enough time for rest and super compensation. Some daredevils even will do Itzulia and Amstel this week - this time certainly not a perfect combination, since Amstel is a week earlier as usual. So Amstel would be rather a „7th stage“ for Itzulia.

 

[Skalman]

I don't get all the complaints, both Ala and Remco has attacked several times these days and made the race fun to watch and probably to race as well. Its nether of these riders goal for the season but of course they take a good result if they can get it. Now they haven't gotten away but so has nobody else, so they do second best thing trying to win the sprint so far a first and 2 second places is a pretty damned impressive result- We know and even more likely Remco knows he isn't going to win this race GC but sees it as training and training he does for sure. He will likely get dropped early on the last stage even if Rogla crashes out and that's fine, doesn't mean he wont try of course.
And Liege isn't a sprint race for those that don't know,,

 

[Lequack]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1512147196489224195

View: https://twitter.com/ehitzulia/status/1512147196489224195?s=20&t=6KG2YMMMiiOdGf105wzsfQ

 

[Extinction]

I have often asked myself, especially after Wout‘s Tour of Britain and Worlds RR, 2021, what would be ideal to do in races, like here Tour of Britain, being Wout.

Go full gas, win four stages, as he did? Or going 85-95% in the finales?

What should Ala and Remco do in Itzulia, to be perfectly prepared for the Ardennes? Ride like they rode the last days, or accept being dropped in the finales and finish the stages at two minutes from the winner?

Hard to say. I actually rather think going really deep (even maximum deep) oftenly, even daily, in these „preparation races“ is certainly not a mistake. Question will be, what is too much?

Itzulia and FW plus LBL fits well, because they have enough time for rest and super compensation. Some daredevils even will do Itzulia and Amstel this week - this time certainly not a perfect combination, since Amstel is a week earlier as usual. So Amstel would be rather a „7th stage“ for Itzulia.

Well if they must accept being dropped by 2 minutes then they are doing the right thing. Still it does not bode well for the future. I would have left Ala on his own the last 2 stages, as it certainly would not have turned out worse and, without the pressure to finish off Remco's labors, he may very well have bagged another win. This way it seems like a lose, lose situation.

 

[armchairclimber]

We love Victor Lafay in our house. I hope he doesn't stop going for these long distance breakaway wins.

 

[woodburn]

But it was UAE that made the determined effort to bring the breakaway back.

Were they riding for Ulissi?

 

[Extinction]

Were they riding for Ulissi?

Yes

 

[CyclistAbi]

Congratulations to Daniel Felipe Martínez for taking the win. Always nice to see when a superdom has an opportunity to win and capitalize on it.

JV would likely be OK if a breakaway would win today. As UAE decided otherwise Rogla likely said to himself lets test if there is a ramp at the end or not. He said in an interview he didn't have any previous knowledge regarding the finish. Vingeguard did a stellar job today. Will be interesting to see if JV will use him in tactical games in the next two stages. As i do imagine that Kuss will soon make a grand return. Ineos looks stronger to me compared to Alaphilippe-Evenepoel duo. Likely there will be much pressure from Yates-Martínez side. Due to race now more and more going towards Rogla territory. Personally i wonder if Rogla will try to stomp tomorrow or will rather tactically preserve a bullet or two for queen stage.

I guess best to wait and see. Likely two days of great cycling ahead.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Christian Prudhomme likely just checking Pogi isn't participating.

 

[Peyroteo94]

How steep is the finale tomorrow?

 

[search]

How steep is the finale tomorrow?

from the roadbook:

 

[acm]

from the roadbook:

Perfect for a stomp.

 

[Peyroteo94]

That finale is easier than mur de huy. Ala will beat Roglic

 

[jonan92]

It could rain from 16:00-17:00, at the end of the stage

 

[Coppi42]

Shldnt it be a tyre width not length Allaphilip got beaten by ? Thats 22 mm or 2200mm'

 

[johnymax]

That finale is easier than mur de huy. Ala will beat Roglic

FW is a one day race. Tomorrow it'll be stage 5 of a WT stage race. Ala has been very active in all the stages so far. Roglič, as one of the top GC riders, should have better recovery. Advantage to Rogla in my view.

I wouldn't be surprised if Ala wins tho. Or Bilbao or Martinez or Vlasov or someone from the break.

 

[Sciatic]

That finale is easier than mur de huy. Ala will beat Roglic

There are a few climbs before that that could make it more interesting than a Flèche finale, but the way the big guns have ridden the last few stages I’m not sure we’ll get that.

 

[Lequack]

One has to listen to this every day while watching this race
Ion Izagirre, Gorka Izagirre, Joseba Beloki, Pello Bilbao

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggxfZlheUHU

 

[SafeBet]

One has to listen to this every day while watching this race
Ion Izagirre, Gorka Izagirre, Joseba Beloki, Pello Bilbao

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggxfZlheUHU

And I thought Quintana wearing a chameleon mask on stage was cringe.

How I miss prime Joseba Beloki though

 

[tobydawq]

One has to listen to this every day while watching this race
Ion Izagirre, Gorka Izagirre, Joseba Beloki, Pello Bilbao

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggxfZlheUHU

Obviously.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Primoz says he's missing a bit of legs and luck here:

https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/roglic-im-missing-a-bit-of-legs-and-a-bit-of-luck-at-itzulia/

We will know more after today. He should be fighting for victory with Ala and get some bonus seconds making his GC more comfortable ahead of the queen stage (BTW remember the queen stage in 2021? One of the best of all year)