Stage 9, Sunday August 31 | Carboneras de Guadazaón - Aramón Valdelinares, 185km

[Netserk]

I really dislike that the final k is flat. If someone attacks a small group can still reel him in in the last k. I only see Froome or maybe Contador attacking.

It's great. No point now in waiting 'till 500m to go...

 

[icefire]

Alright, I didn't know that they hardly could do any better with this finish. Any chance for cancellation due to thunderstorms?

That's a wrong question to ask. Any chance to have a L'Aquila 2010 scenario?

 

[HappyLoser]

Hahaha, only one vote for Nairo... Really?

AC will show some "semi-suicidal" action here.

 

[afpm90]

I think it's too soon for Contador to make a huge attack. Maybe in the last 2km he'll try something. But I'm pretty sure that before that we'll see Froome on the attack.

 

[trevim]

I think Contador will just try to stay with Froome. At least until he goes all over the road with his crazy, ugly accelerations

 

[De Snelle Duif]

I hope Txurukka does the unthinkable. I fear the gaps are still too small for a break though. Hesjedahl might try too

 

[TANK91]

How can people dislike this design? It is around 18 kms spent climbing near the end roughly.

 

[Coat-O]

How can people dislike this design? It is around 18 kms spent climbing near the end roughly.

They dislike it because of the last k. I personally think it's awesome. It favors the attackers.

The young guns could do very well on a stage like this. Aru, Chaves, Kelderman.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

I think/hope Aru will be able to follow the best on this stage. Perhaps even sneak away in the end if the biggest guns in the race looks at each other and understand that they wont be able to drop each other.

 

[DFA123]

I think/hope Aru will be able to follow the best on this stage. Perhaps even sneak away in the end if the biggest guns in the race looks at each other and understand that they wont be able to drop each other.

Can't see Froome letting anyone go in the closing stages - if he's been sprinting for two or three second bonuses already, he'll definitely be going for the 10 seconds if he is in the lead group anywhere near the top.

 

[Coat-O]

I think/hope Aru will be able to follow the best on this stage. Perhaps even sneak away in the end if the biggest guns in the race looks at each other and understand that they wont be able to drop each other.

Not sure they will let him go. But he could do well. He has proven to be the best of the rest after "the big 5".

 

[Cance > TheRest]

The last flat kilometer suits Valverde or Froome, for that matter, with his new suddenly found sprinting talent. Hopefully it will be as good/entertaining as it was back in 2005 but I doubt it.

 

[No_Balls]

Why anybody who isnt Chris Froome or Valverde needs to be active before the final kilometer assuming they are a putting a great deal in this stage. Which i think before rest day and time trial.

Dont think the younger padawans will have anything to say here. Jedi territory and master Alberto to unleash the full force here i think.

 

[Walkman]

Gesink to show the brats aka; Aru, Kelderman, Chaves and the Yates brothers how it's done!

 

[BlurryVII]

Why anybody who isnt Chris Froome or Valverde needs to be active before the final kilometer assuming they are a putting a great deal in this stage. Which i think before rest day and time trial.

Dont think the younger padawans will have anything to say here. Jedi territory and master Alberto to unleash the full force here i think.

Not completely sure about that, it's still a bit early to put in a real show, I don't think he'll be strong enough to drop them all .
He has to be careful not to put himself in the red for nothing and lose a few seconds in the final k. Better keep his strength like he did on Zubia for the bonifications.

Contador "El Matador" will be back by the 2nd or 3rd week IMO.

 

[Swifty's Cakes]

Electrical storm to short Froome's power meter; alien DNF

 

[Coat-O]

Valverde is the favorite unless he has to work for Quintana.

Froome must be the second favorite after Valverde in a flat sprint.

I don't think Purito is that good in a flat sprint. He has beaten Contador in one and could properly beat Quintana, but not Froome.

 

[Arredondo]

Valverde is the favorite unless he has to work for Quintana.

Froome must be the second favorite after Valverde in a flat sprint.

I don't think Purito is that good in a flat sprint. He has beaten Contador in one and could properly beat Quintana, but not Froome.

Because Froome has won so many flat sprints

I think Purito has won some 6/7 flat sprints in the past. That's 13% of his total wins.

 

[Coat-O]

Valverde is the favorite unless he has to work for Quintana.

Froome must be the second favorite after Valverde in a flat sprint.

I don't think Purito is that good in a flat sprint. He has beaten Contador in one and could properly beat Quintana, but not Froome.

Ok, he has showed to be good in a flat sprint. But Moreno sucks right now, so he don't have a lead-out man.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPD-LLIpH6k

 

[Coat-O]

Because Froome has won so many flat sprints

I know he (Purito) is semi-fast in a flat sprint, but I'm not sure that is enough. He is better than Quintana and Contador, but I'm not sure he is better than Froome. Definitely not better than Valverde.

 

[Arredondo]

Ok, he has showed to be good in a flat sprint. But Moreno sucks right now, so he don't have a lead-out man.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPD-LLIpH6k

It's a mountain top-finish. Don't expect no more then 10 guys at the end. So a lead-out men doesn't matter.

 

[Arredondo]

I know he (Purito) is semi-fast in a flat sprint, but I'm not sure that is enough. He is better than Quintana and Contador, but I'm not sure he is better than Froome. Definitely not better than Valverde.

No Valverde is way way way better then Purito ofcourse. But i'm not afraid of Froome.

 

[Coat-O]

It's a mountain top-finish. Don't expect no more then 10 guys at the end. So a lead-out men doesn't matter.

That's why I judge them. Purito has won a couple of flat sprints like the one I linked to, but I'm not sure he is better than Froome.

In a pure flat sprint it's: Valverde > Purito/Froome > Contador > Quintana, imo.

 

[Coat-O]

No Valverde is way way way better then Purito ofcourse. But i'm not afraid of Froome.

So you would say Valverde > Purito > Froome > Contador > Quintana in a pure sprint?

 

[Der Effe]

I'd say Kittel is faster.