Volta a Catalunya 2012: Stage 1, Calella - Calella (139 km)

[taiwan]

That was nicely played by Albasini. A 1'30 cushion in the GC is not to be sniffed at, and in a race in which he wouldn't have been mentioned as a contender.

 

[greenedge]

Congrats to Albasini. Is there any way he could challenge for the GC or top 10? as he has quite a big gap ( 1:32 ).

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

he's not good in long climbs. I think he stands no chance. not even for top ten, because of wedsnesdays stage which has 2 very long climbs

 

[roundabout]

Congrats to Albasini. Is there any way he could challenge for the GC or top 10? as he has quite a big gap ( 1:32 ).

Yes, if the queen stage get's shortened/cancelled/rerouted because of snow. If he isn't too tired from today and the form is good he can handle all the other stages.

 

[theyoungest]

Yes, if the queen stage get's shortened/cancelled/rerouted because of snow. If he isn't too tired from today and the form is good he can handle all the other stages.

Actually, it looks like that might very well happen. Another queen stage ruined by this year's particularly late winter.

And of course the easiest win in a WT stagerace since Cam Meyer in the TDU.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Idunno, depends how aggressively it's raced. He could easily do a very good GC from here. The problem is, of course, he'll want to take tomorrow as easy as possible as the effort today will have an effect.

 

[Froome19]

he's not good in long climbs. I think he stands no chance. not even for top ten, because of wedsnesdays stage which has 2 very long climbs

Yeh in last years vuelta where he won a stage his highest MTF was 68 followed by a 99 and then a bunch of 140...s he has been used to riding in the grupetto along with his mates at HTC so he may be able to suddenly do a voeckler and excel at MTFs but I highly doubt it and if he does lose some time on the stage 2 it will be a lot....

 

[Libertine Seguros]

From the break: http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=13753

Not really a big MTF or anything but not a short hill either: http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=11942

Loses 1'31" on Pal, though Sánchez was in a break; it's about 1'20" from the contenders: http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=11484

Loses 50" on Verbier: http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=7872

Just under a minute on Flumserberg: http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=7868

Not an especially long climb, but steep: http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=6874

 

[Sylvester]

The bookies offer Albasini @ 17 or thereabouts and I think that's a fair odd. Of course he stands a chance as he's not a bad climber at all, but normally he won't even be trying too hard to hang on to his lead. If you feel otherwise, you might consider putting some money on him

 

[roundabout]

From the break: http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=13753

Not really a big MTF or anything but not a short hill either: http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=11942

Loses 1'31" on Pal, though Sánchez was in a break; it's about 1'20" from the contenders: http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=11484

Loses 50" on Verbier: http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=7872

Just under a minute on Flumserberg: http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=7868

Not an especially long climb, but steep: http://cqranking.com/men/asp/gen/race.asp?raceid=6874

He seems to do ok on 1 climb/relatively uncomplicated before the last climb stages (can't recall if they did the Flüelapass on the way to Serfaus).

 

[jonjungel]

Taking a look at the other end of the results...

172 Victor Cabedo (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 0:02:10
173 Grischa Niermann (Ger) Rabobank Cycling Team 0:05:22
174 Andrey Kashechkin (Kaz) Pro Team Astana
175 Sébastien Rosseler (Bel) Garmin-Barracuda
176 Julian Sanchez Pimienta (Spa) Caja Rural

There is Andrey Kashechkin again. Fair enough that he was doped up earlier, but this is just too much. I wonder why he even bothers.