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

[icefire]

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.

RTVE starts at 14:30 CET. That's almost 3 hours if they go according to the fastest schedule. It should be enough to show the last 4 climbs.

 

[Flamin]

Would have been nice to have live images from the start as it could be interesting to watch how the break unfolds. I'm sure Alberto will try to get a team mate in it, just in case.. and I expect the same from Katusha (maybe Caruso or Dani).

 

[sir fly]

RTVE starts at 14:30 CET. That's almost 3 hours if they go according to the fastest schedule. It should be enough to show the last 4 climbs.

30 minutes longer than Eurosport. Probably some introductory program before the live pictures.
The only proper way to follow such a stage is through a long broadcast.

 

[Asturiano]

The idea or RTVE is to start the broadcast with Cordal.

 

[cineteq]

Contador in the driver's seat. Just respond to Valverde or Froome. The pressure is on Rodriguez and KAT.

 

[williamp78]

Random question; but why in general are the time gaps so much smaller on the climbs in la vuelta compared for example to the climbs in le tour?

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Random question; but why in general are the time gaps so much smaller on the climbs in la vuelta compared for example to the climbs in le tour?

1. Nibali was simply so much better than the rest
2. shorter climbs here in theVuelta
3. The 3 strongest riders here are not that much better than the next 3-4 guys

 

[Red Rick]

1. Nibali was simply so much better than the rest
2. shorter climbs here in theVuelta
3. The 3 strongest riders here are not that much better than the next 3-4 guys

4. Stages are easier and shorter
5. Most of the best teams had their best squads for pulling the first half up the mountain in the tour, the dom's aren't pulling as hard
6. cowardice

 

[Asturiano]

4. Stages are easier and shorter
5. Most of the best teams had their best squads for pulling the first half up the mountain in the tour, the dom's aren't pulling as hard
6. cowardice

Spanish organizers want Vuelta to be "electric", if you create very hard stages the speed would be slower.

The idea is having a bit of spectacle almost everyday, not knowing who is going to be the cyclist is going to win the Vuelta until almost the end.

Many people hate this kind of race with its own indiosincracy. It's a different kind of entertaining but I think it works.

 

[trevim]

I'm not confident in Contador but nothing would make me happier than seeing him riding away for the stage and GC win. I know it's not likely and it's more likely he looses time and perhap the jersey.
Anyway, I keep reminding myself of that Tour crash and how I thought it would be nice to see him ride Beijing just to get the miles in for next season. So, as it's always the case when he's racing, vamos Alberto! I'll try not to break anything when/if you get dropped hard

 

[greenedge]

Hopefully Contador can win.

This race is also lacking Horner the race would have been so much faster with him here

 

[JRTK73]

I can't see Froome's yo-yo tactics working here. If he is going to drop ten seconds on each of these climbs then he will have a lot of work to do to catch up with Contador. Hopefully, we see some attacks on the penultimate climb with only the main GC guys together for the final climb.

 

[Escarabajo]

Random question; but why in general are the time gaps so much smaller on the climbs in la vuelta compared for example to the climbs in le tour?

Do you mean hills?

 

[Escarabajo]

Random question; but why in general are the time gaps so much smaller on the climbs in la vuelta compared for example to the climbs in le tour?

Moderators, please hide this question from Descender.

Thanks.

 

[TheGreenMonkey]

This stage needs someone from a little back in the standings, Gesink or Kelderman or anyone in between to try and go on a long range attack which will cause those closer to the leaders to respond which will mean the teams of the favorites to ride hard early and limit the number of riders on the final climbs.

However I do not see someone like Rolland who will do it. Hesjedal is just too far down in the standings and will be riding for Martin.

 

[Jspear]

4. Stages are easier and shorter
5. Most of the best teams had their best squads for pulling the first half up the mountain in the tour, the dom's aren't pulling as hard
6. cowardice

This. But I would also add that the "favorites" for the Vuelta aren't as fresh either. They all have a full season in their legs and so everyone is a little more tired.

Alberto for the win. ....I hope.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Zubeldia from the break.

 

[jaylew]

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

I believe that to be the case to a certain degree. They're focused on winning. Another podium, while nice, is not worth settling for at this point in their careers. It could prove to be a mistake but right now Contador is clearly the man they're racing. I think they also know that Contador is not super and possibly beatable if they play their cards right.

 

[manafana]

also starting to believe contador might not be all that strong and he looked a little silly today and rodriguez and valverde a little too cautious, todays stage plays more to Aru who should go well.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

OK, I make my first prediction here:
1.) Someone from the break is going to win
2.) Between the contenders (1-10) there will be a time gap of max 2 mins.
AC will keep red, Valv to lose about a min to AC and JRod.
3.) I won´t predict a "spot on" prediction for Froome D)...
Either he gains a min on AC & Co., or he completely loses the Vuelta this day (losing about 2 mins).
4.) Chaves to once and for all saying goodbye to CG. Losing another 15 or more mins.
It was a nice try by Greenedge to go for the CG the first time ever. They just picked the wrong time and rider. Chaves just wasn´t used to a 3 week CG battle. Safe that for the future.

Since I called out some guys for their complete wrong predictions the last couple of mountain stages, I am fair game. Waiting for some flak when all my predictions go south.

 

[Sasquatch]

OK, I make my first prediction here:
1.) Someone from the break is going to win
2.) Between the contenders (1-10) there will be a time gap of max 2 mins.
AC will keep red, Valv to lose about a min to AC and JRod.
3.) I won´t predict a "spot on" prediction for Froome D)...
Either he gains a min on AC & Co., or he completely loses the Vuelta this day (losing about 2 mins).
4.) Chaves to once and for all saying goodbye to CG. Losing another 15 or more mins.
It was a nice try by Greenedge to go for the CG the first time ever. They just picked the wrong time and rider. Chaves just wasn´t used to a 3 week CG battle. Safe that for the future.

Since I called out some guys for their complete wrong predictions the last couple of mountain stages, I am fair game. Waiting for some flak when all my predictions go south.

Luis Leon Sanchez will win the stage from the break. Bonet will pick up the KOM points whilst Sanchez conserves his energy to go for a stage victory.

Samu fights back.

Valverde loses a minute to Contador and Rodriguez

 

[Coat-O]

Hopefully Contador can win.

This race is also lacking Horner the race would have been so much faster with him here

I was wondering whether he would have been in red by now. Especially when you have elite climbers such as Anacona and Niemiec by your side.

 

[Piz Buin]

Luis Leon Sanchez will win the stage from the break. Bonet will pick up the KOM points whilst Sanchez conserves his energy to go for a stage victory.

Samu fights back.

Valverde loses a minute to Contador and Rodriguez

Would be a shame if the kom goes back to bonet

 

[murali]

after watching the way valv and jrod were wheelsucking, i hope AC attacks in San Lorenzo; and solos to win. (prob he will need paulinho and zuagg up the road today.)


Froome has done enough faking of being tired. i dont think anyone is going to be slowing down if froome gets dropped today. (that's a big IF)

Uran is still hanging on. he is fairly far from the main battle. wont be surprise if he or Dan Martin did something today.


Break comfortably FTW.

 

[LaFlorecita]

I'm not confident in Contador but nothing would make me happier than seeing him riding away for the stage and GC win. I know it's not likely and it's more likely he looses time and perhap the jersey.
Anyway, I keep reminding myself of that Tour crash and how I thought it would be nice to see him ride Beijing just to get the miles in for next season. So, as it's always the case when he's racing, vamos Alberto! I'll try not to break anything when/if you get dropped hard

Oh man this is exactly how I feel but it would suck to see him lose the race because of Piti's sprints.