Vuelta a España La Vuelta Femenina 2023 (1st-7th May)

[Pirazziattacks]

Testament to how bad of a sprinter Realini is that she still almost lost that sprint. But let's say, holding the wheel of Van Vleuten on an epic day out like this is worth the win.

Is it even possible to be anything other than a bad sprinter at her size?

 

[JosefK]

If Annemiek wanted Gaia to give her a turn she should have offered the stage up.

Yes, and I think Van Vleuten achieved her main objective, the red jersey and a minute on Vollering.

 

[F_Cance]

Jose Been shocked that Realini won. Can't see how she would not win it, sitting on the wheel for 30K or more.

last year Vollering sat on AVV for 17km in one of the classics and she still lost the sprint

 

[yaco]

Realini could have taken a turn or two at least on the descent - I find it disappointing, not that it would bother AVV.

 

[Red Rick]

Is it true Van der Breggen is calling the shots for SD this race?

Cause this display today is a fireable offense.

 

[ice&fire]

If Annemiek wanted Gaia to give her a turn she should have offered the stage up.

She didn't give her a nod, nor complained by the lack of cooperation from Gaia. That's a real World Champion.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I think it's noteworthy how much time was lost by group 3 on the road. Largely because a few of them were in the break and I'm surprised to see them drop back - Chabbey, Peperkamp and Faulkner all got into the chase group but somehow lost nearly 5 minutes on the run-in. Lippert was also in that group but she missed the first selection and I think she's just losing her form from the Ardennes. Makes me wonder if any of them are planning a stagehunt tomorrow.

 

[theyoungest]

Is it true Van der Breggen is calling the shots for SD this race?

Cause this display today is a fireable offense.

There is something to be said for saving Reusser for after the last climb. It maybe wasn't the smartest choice in hindsight, but I assume they made this decision.

 

[theyoungest]

Realini could have taken a turn or two at least on the descent - I find it disappointing, not that it would bother AVV.

On the descent? That would have been pointless. Van Vleuten would have had to brake to stay behind her.

 

[ice&fire]

I went away from the screen for a while and I see AVV on podium as stage winner. Did they show a photo finish?

 

[F_Cance]

no, so far not

 

[ice&fire]

What a joke. Trek made a claim and now Gaia is on podium.

 

[yaco]

On the descent? That would have been pointless. Van Vleuten would have had to brake to stay behind her.

You can do a turn or two - I am not asking Realini to do much - Of course AVV would not allow Realini to be in front for too long.

 

[Unterlenkerfahrend]

Why the hell would Realini help AVV as some are suggesting? She was waaay down on GC so going for the stage win is a no brainer. I don't even know how much of a help that feather would've been for AVV on the flat.
Talking of Realini, UCI should really adjust their weight rules for the bikes with regards to body weight. Massive disadvantage for her with the 6.8kg rule, she'd probably an absolute monster on longer climbs with adjusted bike weight.

 

[BR2]

Why the hell would Realini help AVV as some are suggesting? She was waaay down on GC so going for the stage win is a no brainer. I don't even know how much of a help that feather would've been for AVV on the flat.
Talking of Realini, UCI should really adjust their weight rules for the bikes with regards to body weight. Massive disadvantage for her with the 6.8kg rule, she'd probably an absolute monster on longer climbs with adjusted bike weight.

Because van Vleuten basically gave her a free ride to gain a minute - Realini has shown to be one of the best climbers in the peloton, so this one minute might help her get a top five tomorrow.

 

[JosefK]

Hoping Vollering gets into full robo mode on the hill, tomorrow ...

 

[Netserk]

Sounds like a great stage today, I will probably watch it then tomorrow. Grande Annemiek!

 

[jmdirt]

Was there some dirty pool today?

 

[awavey]

Well, like Lippert she didn't have a good day today. But she was 3rd last year in the TdF Femmes, 3rd in the women's tour. This year she's had at least some top10s in big one day races even if she's not on the same level. She's not someone I'd just discard as "she's not going to be up there anyway". Just like Lippert - in the end neither was a threat, and even if they had been better Vollering would just have won the stage anyway. Then of course you might say if you have a rider like Vollering nothing tactical matters anyway. Just make her stay out of trouble. But then you have to be absolutely confident you really have the strongest rider in the race. If you take that assumption as the base of all decisions it even makes sense to not commit any riders to getting rid of "rivals". And yeah, we all knew Demi was going to be that rider, so, maybe it is totally fine to go with that "strategy".

but thats the point, she finishes 3rd alot, not 2nd, not 1st, but 3rd, best of the rest effectively, so why would a team who gets their riders into challenging for 2nd and 1st spots frequently, be that concerned about her ?

Did Canyon Sram sacrifice Elise Chabbeys Im not going for the mountains jersey, to push her to 8th today , so she can finish 3rd again ?

 

[AkaiD]

Was there some dirty pool today?

Vollering and some more SD members stopped to pee, moment Movistar & co decided to move the race and increase the pace, due to crosswinds in the next kilometers. With a small gap in the order of the 20" the jury decided to do a barrage and stop the cars that reflected in Vollering dropping 1'30" behind by the moment climbs started.

 

[awavey]

Was there some dirty pool today?

it feels like it, race leader stops for a pee and then the other teams go on the attack and the jury decided another barrage had to be made...

 

[BR2]

it feels like it, race leader stops for a pee and then the other teams go on the attack and the jury decided another barrage had to be made...

maybe not the best decision to go pee then when there are cross winds expected. I didn't see it, I don't know what the exact situation was, but in general...

 

[Samu Cuenca]

I don't think it's classy to attack when the race leader is having a toilet break (planned or not), but neither is it when the leader has a mechanical, and that didn't bother Vollering during the Tour.

 

[BR2]

but thats the point, she finishes 3rd alot, not 2nd, not 1st, but 3rd, best of the rest effectively, so why would a team who gets their riders into challenging for 2nd and 1st spots frequently, be that concerned about her ?

Did Canyon Sram sacrifice Elise Chabbeys Im not going for the mountains jersey, to push her to 8th today , so she can finish 3rd again ?

okay so basically only van Vleuten is a rival anyway? I mean, yeah, maybe that is indeed so, that would be very sad for women's cycling...
but then at least stay glued to van Vleuten's wheel and do everything to get back to her if you're "dropped", instead of whatever that was today...

 

[Netserk]

In general, the race is on from the moment the flag has been dropped and until the finish line. Only exception being official neutralisation.

As Jørgen Leth would say, it's not a tea party.