Stage 16, San Martín del Rey Aurelio - La Farrapona, Lagos de Somiedo

[Coat-O]

Valverde's brain to miscalculate the number of climbs he'll sprint on penultimate climb, Rodriguez on his wheel...and then they'll both lose 2 mins.

Or even better, ride away from the rest of the peloton and gain 2 mins! It's way more fun to watch an offensive Contador later in the race.

 

[Pricey_sky]

I have no idea who is going to take time tomorrow. Valverde looked bad on Saturday but fought hard today to take time. The opposite of Froome who lost time today having done well on Saturday. Purito did well but needs a lot of time to trouble Contador. Alberto has lost time both days but has done well to limit the damage so who knows?

Maybe Uran or Aru will be allowed to steal it with the favourites watching each other.

 

[Escarabajo]

Breakaway of 50 riders to fight for the victory.

+1. LOL.

Half the peloton in the breakaway!!

 

[Arredondo]

Please let it rain. Purito deserves a victory!

I must admit I am a bit sad that he hasn't won a stage yet. I think he deserves it on top of an unfortunate season. He is always up there, but it is never enough.

He is really starting to remind me of Poulidor or Zoetemelk.

Those two guys at least won a GT

 

[Asturiano]

FROM:

 

[Asturiano]

TO:

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

totally agree with that. Why not taking the descents out of the route?

rofl......

 

[PirazziAttacksVino]

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Is Zubaldia still going for a top 10 in GC?

Yep. If he is in the break and it survives with a circa 1 hour gap...

 

[Cance > TheRest]

If Contador changes his tactics and just watches Valverde/JRod until the last 2 kms, he can save up enough energy to one giant attack and drop both of them. They, JRod/Valverde certainly deserve a lesson today after their moronic riding, which suggests that they don't fear Froome in the GC, somehow

 

[Coat-O]

Those two guys at least won a GT

Yeah, Purito is perhaps an even better candidate for "the eternal 2nd place".
Could have won the Giro 12, Vuelta 12, Liege 13 and 13 Worlds, but didn't. Unlike Valverde, he rides more on intuition and a good feeling, but that's not how you win stages and races.

But I still hope he wins tomorrow. He is one of the best in heavy rain.

 

[Bexon30]

Yeah, Purito is perhaps an even better candidate for "the eternal 2nd place".
Could have won the Giro 12, Vuelta 12, Liege 13 and 13 Worlds, but didn't. Unlike Valverde, he rides more on intuition and a good feeling, but that's not how you win stages and races.

But I still hope he wins tomorrow. He is one of the best in heavy rain.

Rain will make this epic. Valverde to lose big tomorrow I believe attacks will happen on the penultimate climb

 

[icefire]

Breakaway of 50 riders to fight for the victory.

If there is group of 50 riders or more together over Cobertoria it's the autobus

 

[DoubleF]

If any of the big teams want to control the race and avoid a win from the breakaway this stage will be a real battle. I think some of the big names (like Valverde) will attack on the descent. I don't think that riders like Valverde or Purito will gain on this stage if they attack on the final climb. Froome is an enigma. I think Aru is the favourite because Contador can't chase everyone, and the only one that could have some room to ride away is probably the young sardinian.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Yep. If he is in the break and it survives with a circa 1 hour gap...

yea, its business as usual.

 

[VeloHuman]

If any of the big teams want to control the race and avoid a win from the breakaway this stage will be a real battle. I think some of the big names (like Valverde) will attack on the descent. I don't think that riders like Valverde or Purito will gain on this stage if they attack on the final climb. Froome is an enigma. I think Aru is the favourite because Contador can't chase everyone, and the only one that could have some room to ride away is probably the young sardinian.

I like Martin for the same reasons. He showed a lot of strength to put in the ride he did today after spending all that time chasing.

 

[DirtyWorks]

If Contador changes his tactics and just watches Valverde/JRod until the last 2 kms, he can save up enough energy to one giant attack and drop both of them. They, JRod/Valverde certainly deserve a lesson today after their moronic riding, which suggests that they don't fear Froome in the GC, somehow

To the bolded, Contador is fortunate to have Valverde/JRod fighting each other. He doesn't have to attack them when they are busy in a p!ss!ng contest for third.

He has to come in on the same time with no bonuses handed out and manage any crazy attempts from places 5-10.

I will give credit to Froome's team for getting seconds back in unusual ways. I did not think it was possible given the team's strategy history.

 

[Escarabajo]

If any of the big teams want to control the race and avoid a win from the breakaway this stage will be a real battle. I think some of the big names (like Valverde) will attack on the descent. I don't think that riders like Valverde or Purito will gain on this stage if they attack on the final climb. Froome is an enigma. I think Aru is the favourite because Contador can't chase everyone, and the only one that could have some room to ride away is probably the young sardinian.

That will be the day if Valverde attacks Contador before the last climb.

Earlier in this Vuelta he did it only because he was riding for Quintana. But putting your hopes in a Valverde attack from further out is asking for too much.

 

[Descender]

Jesus Christ, yet ANOTHER multiclimb monster of a stage??

 

[BigMac]

Jesus Christ, yet ANOTHER multiclimb monster of a stage??

Who's the man in your avatar?

 

[sir fly]

Two and a half hour live broadcast of the stage.
Hopefully, it will be filled with more than 20 minutes of racing.
A profile like this could generously reward the bravery.

 

[Descender]

Who's the man in your avatar?

Me.

_______________________

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

I like Martin for the same reasons. He showed a lot of strength to put in the ride he did today after spending all that time chasing.

Also less likely to spark an all out effort to bring him back then Aru. Aru is still just about a threat to win.

 

[SafeBet]

Aru was at his best in single mountain stages during the Giro. This will be a real test for him.

I don't know if Uran is brave enough to do it but this would be the perfect stage to send a couple of strong helpers in the break and then attack in the descent before Farrapona.

 

[icefire]

Who's the man in your avatar?

Richard Pound