Stage 20: Santa Estebo de Ribas do Sil-Puerto de Ancares (185.7 km)

[Poursuivant]

That TT is a waste of time, the time gaps will be between 0-10 seconds, a colossal waste of a stage.

 

[Red Rick]

I don't think so. If I judge AC's character right, AC will concede 4 bonus seconds to Froome and not worry about losing in the TT. Assuming Froome works the last few kilometers pulling just Contador.

I don't think so. Contador and Schleck were different than Contador and Froome. I think he'll drop him in the end or at least try to, because in the end its an ego thing

 

[sir fly]

By now, Froome should have reached the form to respond to all the rhythm changes and attack when he feels it's the moment rather than what SRM is saying. And if it's not the case - he has no reason to hold back.
In any case, it's time to go all out.

 

[Oldman]

By now, Froome should have reached the form to respond to all the rhythm changes and attack when he feels it's the moment rather than what SRM is saying. And if it's not the case - he has no reason to hold back.
In any case, it's time to go all out.

In last it happened last night I'll go with the Red Rick's prior opinion: AC will make a point. He's the Spaniard and he's got some history to rewrite.

 

[Publicus]

Froome has never expressed the all or nothing attitude Contador has about winning. I'm not sure he's willing to risk blowing up and losing 2nd place. I think he makes an effort, but if it is clear that he isn't going to drop Contador, he'll just ride with him and contest the sprint at the end. All of this assumes that both or either have the legs to be on the pointy end of the race.

 

[DirtyWorks]

That TT is a waste of time, the time gaps will be between 0-10 seconds, a colossal waste of a stage.

What drama though!!!!

If 3rd and 4th look at each other all the way up, my guess is time gaps will close.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Valverde and Purito to wheelsuck each other off the podium.

 

[Piz Buin]

If Froome was in good form he could probably put that and another minute or two into Contador but he has not shown anywhere near that form yet.

Let me guess..2013 TdF was the first GT you watched

 

[veganrob]

Valverde and Purito to wheelsuck each other off the podium.

That is not as far fetched as it might sound.

 

[Big Doopie]

This is the profile of the stage presented in January. Note the wall at the start of the first cat 3 climb and compare with the profile in the OP:

Were it not for the final ITT we'd probably see something like this

Lol. Bertoglio holding off Galdos on the stelvio I think.

I remember it well.

 

[Sasquatch]

Landa from the break to hold off a fast finishing Contador with Froome further back and Rodriguez/Aru/Valverde a further minute behind Froome.

 

[msjett]

Would love to see old man Evans in the break and get the win...but that's not gonna happen...So Alberto for the win...hopefully he attacks, also hope that the other GC riders throw in a few attacks...otherwise it will put me to sleep...

 

[gregrowlerson]

Yes, this is a beautiful beast of a stage. Looking forward to watching it.

Surely with barely a km of flat road over the final ninety kms, there is some chance of some serious action before the final climb? Would like to see Aru take off on the penultimate climb. I doubt there would be an immediate reaction.

Overall I hope that Contador can hold onto his overall lead.

 

[HappyLoser]

No idea who wins today...

 

[gregrowlerson]

No idea who wins today...

I do.

The fans!

 

[yespatterns]

For sure! Hopefully the riders, whomever they are make it a stage to remember!

 

[Miburo]

I think this is a really well drawn mountain stage. Vuelta did at least a good job with this one.

It's to the riders now to make the race.

 

[PirazziAttacksVino]

If Froome was in good form he could probably put that and another minute or two into Contador but he has not shown anywhere near that form yet. Yes he did drop Contador in stage 18 and without Purito and Valverde Contador would have likely lost another 20-40 seconds but that was just one day and they have both traded off each beating the other each beating the other 3 times on climbs. Tomorrow could be Contador's day.

I see Contador being pretty attentive tomorrow and sticking to Froome's wheel until the end. Sort of like he did to a stronger Schleck in 2010 sucking his wheel all the way up the last climb. But if Froome does drop Contador early and Contador does not get saved by others pulling him up the climb its possible he could put big time on him. But then again it's just as likely that Contador drops Froome and puts big time on him

Wait, what? There's nothing true in the whole paragraph.

 

[Walkman]

Froomey and Bertie at vuleta no.2

Had this stage been a little longer, I think Froome would have dropped them all. Contador looked really cooked in the finale.

As for todays stage, I believe Froome will go for it. For stage victory and to get time on Contador, and I think he will. Although I don't think he is in top shape right now, I think he is strong enough to drop them all.

I also expect piti to lose time to J-rod and Aru today. The question is just, how much? I hope to see them get enough to overtake him in the GC.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Whats the chance anybody from the GC will do something before the last climb? 0,1%.

Sky will set the pace up the last climb, then Froome goes with Contador on his wheel. Maybe Froome will play the tactics better in the final 2km and win the stage. We shall see.

The others will not be a factor.

sky will certainly set the pace before the last climb

 

[icefire]

I think this is a really well drawn mountain stage. Vuelta did at least a good job with this one.

It's to the riders now to make the race.

Oh my... the roads preceding the last two climbs are the easiest Unipublic found in the area and the second last climb can't be avoided going to Ancares from that side. It's like having to climb Telegraphe if you want to do Galibier's North side.

 

[glassmoon]

it's raining outside (here in Slovakia) so:

13:45 arsenal vs. city
16:00 vuelta
20:00 real vs. atletico

beers - check
steaks - check
friends - check

 

[DFA123]

That TT is a waste of time, the time gaps will be between 0-10 seconds, a colossal waste of a stage.

It's also a shame that it won't include any of the cobbled streets - of which there are many in Santiago - some of them pretty tough.

I guess it is more like an epilogue to bring the race to a close rather than a full on stage, and the time gaps will be bigger than during the usual saunter into Madrid.

 

[Red Rick]

DNS Cataldo. The Sky train might lack some strenght because of that

 

[SKSemtex]

It's also a shame that it won't include any of the cobbled streets - of which there are many in Santiago - some of them pretty tough.

I guess it is more like an epilogue to bring the race to a close rather than a full on stage, and the time gaps will be bigger than during the usual saunter into Madrid.

No it is not. Then everybodywould complain taht vuelta can be decided on luck or bad luck on cobbles. Can you immagine Contador will have mechanical on cobble stage?

Cobble stages are OK on the beginning of GT not in last stage.