Pais Vasco Stage 4 - Amurrio - Eibar (Arrate)

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Climbs:

 

[Parrulo]

another stage with potential to be awesome.

a samu vs purito vs oldshacks showdown once again?

 

[Libertine Seguros]

J-Rod's going to need to push here if he wants to win the race overall, because he needs to put some time into Klöden at least (and likely Horner too). Whether he can is another matter, but he certainly needs to try here. I'd expect to see some Movistar guys trying to do the 1-2-3... er... 4... er... 5.

 

[roundabout]

i'll be unpleasently surprised if Rodriguez ends up in the group contending for the win.

My prediction is for Duarte to attack.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

J-Rod's going to need to push here if he wants to win the race overall, because he needs to put some time into Klöden at least (and likely Horner too). Whether he can is another matter, but he certainly needs to try here. I'd expect to see some Movistar guys trying to do the 1-2-3... er... 4... er... 5.

Not only Horner etc, but also the rest, the 6 second group, the vino at 10 second group, even the guys at 18 seconds form a threat for Rodriguez in the ITT....

 

[Mellow Velo]

So the climb the final hill twice, but chop off the top the first time?
Boy, I'd like to see the Spanish kick off early, the first time around
and create mayhem amongst the ordered ranks of the time trialists.
Unfortunately, it'll probably be all about the final 3km ramp,
which won't do anywhere near enough damage to Mr ITT Kloden,
unless he starts to think he's Tony Martin.

 

[theyoungest]

Last year's result on the same finish:

1 Samuel Sánchez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 4:05:16
2 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 0:00:02
3 Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank
4 Christopher Horner (USA) Team Radioshack
5 Beñat Intxausti (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 0:00:33
6 Jean-Christophe Peraud (Fra) Omega Pharma-Lotto
7 Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre-Farnese Vini 0:00:40
8 Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank
9 Sandy Casar (Fra) Française Des Jeux 0:00:49
10 Joaquin Rodriguez (Spa) Team Katusha

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

As I recall last year. Gesink pretty much led the climb from the start. Horner attacked, Samuel Sanchez countered.

Valverde stayed in Gesink's wheel, together with some others. As the climb progressed more and more riders dropped from Gesinks wheel. In the end only Valverde there. Valverde than sprinted close to the top and closed the gap with Horner and Sanchez. Gesink did so as well.

Sammy took a few lengths in the downhill and Valverde pretty much let him go because Sammy had lost time in a previous stage.
Then Valverde almost lost the sprint for second because Gesink took the final corner better, he was just milimeters in front

edit: even found the videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PURApYfUDkU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kRGOrYeceI

 

[hfer07]

One thing is certain: Fabio Duarte will be the first one to attack in the final climb then the GT contenders will follow & then get the fireworks started.
I might go with Frank/Andy Schleck IF either one is racing-not training & obviously Purito & Horner
I'd love to see Gesink trying some sh!t too

 

[Mellow Velo]

Hah! So it's that one, with the Spanish old one-two at the end.
More of steep climb than Monday's wall.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Nah, it's twice as long as monday, and then less steep (still 10% though, and it's tough, hey i'm using tough and though correctly!)

 

[Escarabajo]

Is it time for a Colombian win? or not yet?

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Duarte will certainly try....

 

[Havetts]

Hoping Gesink actually hits the front of the "peloton" today (0;06 here ) on the climb..

 

[The Hitch]

Duarte will certainly try....

But probably fail. How far down did he finish today?

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

But probably fail. How far down did he finish today?

uh, he finished in the first group (just like yesterday).. only day he failed when was he fell, monday..

Too bad, if you look at it in hindsight

 

[The Hitch]

uh, he finished in the first group (just like yesterday).. only day he failed when was he fell, monday..

Too bad, if you look at it in hindsight

I mean even in those early races Ruta del Sol, Murcia, GP Lugano, he would show great balls and form but not win. This race now on 2 occasions as well.

 

[ferryman]

Duarte will certainly try....

He will but this looks like a perfect finale for the Leps and FRANK

But my money, literally, is on Sam da man

 

[Ildabaoth]

I mean even in those early races Ruta del Sol, Murcia, GP Lugano, he would show great balls and form but not win. This race now on 2 occasions as well.

Don't be so harsh with the guy. He wasn't the only one who tried. And he was the youngest one. Neither today's or yesterday's last kilometers suited him, so it wasn't a surprise that he couldn't win. Vinokourov and Kiryienka won by holding their pace in the flat, something Duarte couldn't do. At least he attacked. Nowadays, most riders just wait until the favorite attack and then try to hold his wheel, so it is nice to see a Pantani style.

 

[The Hitch]

Don't be so harsh with the guy. He wasn't the only one who tried. And he was the youngest one. Neither today's or yesterday's last kilometers suited him, so it wasn't a surprise that he couldn't win. Vinokourov and Kiryienka won by holding their pace in the flat, something Duarte couldn't do. At least he attacked. Nowadays, most riders just wait until the favorite attack and then try to hold his wheel, so it is nice to see a Pantani style.

Thats why i said he showed balls, and if you look at the 2000+ post thread at the top titled "CQ Manager game" you will find that i have very special reasons for supporting Duarte myself

 

[xmoonx]

One thing is certain: Fabio Duarte will be the first one to attack in the final climb then the GT contenders will follow & then get the fireworks started.
I might go with Frank/Andy Schleck IF either one is racing-not training & obviously Purito & Horner

I was thinking that also. If either A or F Schleck was racing it's time for them to go.

 

[Eric8-A]

I feel Sanchez will try to go for this one. Horner and Kloden will most likely try to stay within to not lose any time. And yes, I feel this will be a day for the Colombians. Rigoberto is my guess.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

I mean even in those early races Ruta del Sol, Murcia, GP Lugano, he would show great balls and form but not win. This race now on 2 occasions as well.

yeah he shows a lot of aggression. I don't think he is good enough yet to really bother the head of state, they seemed to catch him pretty easily on Tuesday, but he is a mighty prospect.

Uran doesn't seem to have great form tho, I like samu for this.
gesink will have to be a lot better then the last few days to feature here. I'd love to see him try.

 

[Ildabaoth]

Thats why i said he showed balls, and if you look at the 2000+ post thread at the top titled "CQ Manager game" you will find that i have very special reasons for supporting Duarte myself

Nice try, but you won't trick me like that to enter that thread.

 

[Oldman]

Duarte will certainly try....

He's jumping like he's being paid by the promoter to rabbit the last 4 km of a climb. He's got to be a rock star back home.