Volta a Catalunya 2012 - Stage 5: Ascó "La vostra energia" - Manresa (207km)

[Geraint Too Fast]

Volta a Catalunya 2012 - Stage 5: Ascó "La vostra energia" - Manresa (207km)

Alt de Montserrat

Can anybody see Albasini losing 1'32 on this stage?

 

[roundabout]

It's not impossible. It's 23km or so to extend any gap gained on the climb. Whatever happens, I don't believe that he will arrive with the best GC riders.

 

[Richeypen]

Im guessing very similar to today but with a smaller chase group. Albasini will get dropped towards the top of the Cat 1 but either regain the chase group on the descent or lose an insignificant amount of time.

 

[iZnoGouD]

Sylwester Szmyd will try his best, he will probably drop everyone on the climb but he will lose some time on the descent...

 

[liamito]

Are you sure they will be doing this climb?

In the time schedule they mention this information:

Gir a la dreta a Montserrat. COMENÇA PORT-Rampes en 7,6 Km - Desnivell mitjà 5,5% - Rampes màximes 8%.

Giro a la derecha a Montserrat. EMPIEZA PUERTO -Rampas en 7,6 Km. - Desnivel medio 5,5% - Rampas máximas 8%.

So average 5,5%, 8% max.

 

[theyoungest]

Are you sure they will be doing this climb?

In the time schedule they mention this information:



So average 5,5%, 8% max.

They won't go all the way to the top. Not sure how that translates to a lower average gradient, but there you go.

 

[Museeuw]

If MTF then easily, but now it depends who is in which kind of group when they start descending.

I will be disappointed if pace is not pretty high at this stage.

 

[liamito]

They won't go all the way to the top. Not sure how that translates to a lower average gradient, but there you go.

That makes no sense, at the yellow profile all percentages are above the 5.5% given by the organization.

 

[theyoungest]

That makes no sense, at the yellow profile all percentages are above the 5.5% given by the organization.

I know. On this profile it makes more sense:

A deviation for the final km with only 2 % incline. I guess you could get to 5.5 % average that way.

 

[roundabout]

That makes no sense, at the yellow profile all percentages are above the 5.5% given by the organization.

When in doubt ignore the organization

 

[liamito]

When in doubt ignore the organization

Well that makes sense.

 

[liamito]

I know. On this profile it makes more sense:

A deviation for the final km with only 2 % incline. I guess you could get to 5.5 % average that way.

Maybe but then their climb is 1.4 km shorter.

 

[Museeuw]

There are right profiles in Geraint's post, but they go only to Coll de Bruc. Or where the text Coll de Bruc is. Then distance is right.

 

[roundabout]

Maybe but then their climb is 1.4 km shorter.

You can safely lop off the last 1.5km or so as they don't go to the top but turn right at the intersection of the 2 roads to the abbey.

 

[Museeuw]

I know. On this profile it makes more sense:

A deviation for the final km with only 2 % incline. I guess you could get to 5.5 % average that way.

Can't be correct profile.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

After stage 2, I'd have predicted that this would be a stage for the likes of Cunego and Martin to go nuts, but they both sucked today. Let's hope that Szmyd, Uran, Sanchez and Leipheimer can make it a real race again.

I also hope that either Hesjedal or Martin makes the selection, because that will deprive the chase group of work from the two of them, Vande Velde and Danielson. Garmin, Lampre and BMC saved Albasini some time today.

 

[trevim]

I don't care for this race, specially with cobblestones coming soon, but still I have to say: come on Sylvester!!

 

[greenedge]

Go Albasini!!! I think Samu will take this.

 

[Aguirre]

yesterday was at least a nice stage, hopefully today is the same, i expect a hard stage for albasini, hopefully uran or samu can do it

 

[Kwibus]

I really really hope they will be able to drop Albasini early on the climb. That's the only way to get rid of him.
They have to attack early. They can't wait till the end, unless they really gave up on the GC.

Yesterday Albasini cracked, but it was in the last km of the climb. If they really go hard like hell at the start of the climb he will explode at the bottom. Not sure if riders like Leipheimer are capable of that. It seems he is the only one who bothers.
I'm starting to love the guy. Always riding for the win. Certainly often in the wheel of someone else, but still trying to win every stage race he enters.

 

[jens_attacks]

albasini will be in big trouble today.levi,uran and szmyd to go after 3 km of climbing when the road goes at 10%.albasini will risk on the descent.it will be a good stage this one.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

today it's over for albasini and time for uran.

 

[Lexman]

I hoped the organization changed the finish and made the stage a MTF to replace wednesday's stage

Sanchez or Uran i guess, Leipheimer close, don't think Albasini will lose 1.32 today, so Albasini might become a TDF contender

 

[hrotha]

I hoped the organization changed the finish and made the stage a MTF to replace wednesday's stage

That was never an option. Cities already paid to host a stage finish, you know.

 

[DJ Sprtsch]

Mike Snow is a non-starter today. Also Bonnafond.