Volta a Catalunya 2013 - Stage 1: Calella → Calella (159km)

[Carols]

I've never thought of Ryder as a top contender for week-long stage races. I don't think I can remember him ever getting on the podium of one.

Statement for the Giro from Wiggo......

 

[Richeypen]

I've never thought of Ryder as a top contender for week-long stage races. I don't think I can remember him ever getting on the podium of one.

This race means nothing at the end of the day. Wiggins, Ryder etc are scoping each out for May.

 

[BillytheKid]

This thread is hilarious. Wiggins attacks and breaks the peleton apart leading to to him coming home in a group 30 seconds ahead of the main bunch.

People criticize him.

A good move by Sky today, but it may signal that they have thought they needed some time ahead of two very tough mountain stages ahead that end on the ascent. I look for Sky to be on the offensive again tomorrow and not just control the race. I think Wiggins may have some trouble on the ultra steep sections of the stages 3 and 4, but I may be eating my words come time.

Good tactics. Heads up in the morning.

AHHHHH!! THE SKYBORG!!!

 

[airstream]

Here they go! One somehow intentionally belittled Sky boys' descent capacities... In short it looks like Wiggo decided to strip the only Vincenzo's edge.

 

[Morbius]

Anyone think that Wiggins did it just for fun? He did SFA in Oman and watched T-A on TV, so he may have wanted to do something bold just because he could.

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

Well, Rodriguez also did it, while Gesink was pulling whole the time.

It makes perfect sense. Rodriguez doesn't have to fear the GC guys who didn't make the cut, while the opposite is true for Gesink.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

I certainly never criticised Wiggins, I thought it was a fantastic move. All I did was point out that because of the move he is 4 seconds worse off with one of his two rivals for the GC than he would have been otherwise. The Sky train will probably drop everyone in the mountains anyway and we'll be left with four Sky riders pulling nobody else along.

In theory it should become slightly easier to control the action if the scope of competition is narrowed down. Now Hesjedal, Rujano, Honer, JVDB, Pinot, Anton etc must be even more aggressive to win back time and we know how difficult that is.

So Valverde gained 4s, but a bunch of guys lost 30s or so. I think its an excellent trade off.

 

[BillytheKid]

In theory it should become slightly easier to control the action if the scope of competition is narrowed down. Now Hesjedal, Rujano, Honer, JVDB, Pinot, Anton etc must be even more aggressive to win back time and we know how difficult that is.

So Valverde gained 4s, but a bunch of guys lost 30s or so. I think its an excellent trade off.

Exactly. This means an attempt at a committed, dangerous break to force Sky to burn assets to the final. This could be a wild day of racing. It's clear Sky and Wiggins came to win. I hope to see a good counter attack tomorrow. Garmin have Martin in the mix and they will not contribute to a break.

 

[Angliru]

If not all hell breaks loose, it could be for Meersman/Nocentini

How is the weather in Catalunya, considering the snow in MSR?

Great prediction!

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Guardini finished in the peleton today.

 

[Descender]

I for one won't criticise Wiggins or Sky today.

Very nice descending action. I likes.

 

[Pharazon]

anyone have video of the split, not just the final few km's?

 

[Descender]

Prudhomme and the Badger at the finish today:

 

[webvan]

anyone have video of the split, not just the final few km's?

Full 1.5 hour broadcast is here http://www.rtve.es/alacarta/videos/...ella-calella-desde-calella/1724868/?media=tve (in Spanish), link from http://www.steephill.tv/volta-a-catalunya/

 

[garyhoop1]

Videos

Keep up to date with videos from the 2013 Volta a Catalunya here - http://bit.ly/116Sa6S

 

[Jelantik]

If it results in time loss of his designated leader, I can understand the criticism.

Although clearly Wiggins has some good form, and in good form he's a better climber than Uran.

Dunno. Maybe he wants to make the same statement like in the Tour, when the team waited for the Froome because he got flat tired (he was unhappy about it). This way, once in for all, he is "the leader" and not Uran.

 

[JimmyFingers]

I for one won't criticise Wiggins or Sky today.

Very nice descending action. I likes.

This. I was looking for a marker from Wiggins, and we finally have one for the4 season. The other big boys have been trading blows, reckon Brad wanted a piece of it today. Great attack on the descent from someone who can't descend and doesn't attack, but I particularly liked the way he went to the front when the pace slackened, then tried to pursuit to the end and grab a time bonus

Which Valverde got lol

Good racing today

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Prudhomme and the Badger at the finish today:

Just what you want. A picture taken with Prudhomme.

 

[manafana]

Meersman did a bit of ciolek no risk till the line was in sight.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Meersman did a bit of ciolek no risk till the line was in sight.

Well, Meersman ain't a GC rider and Brambilla was sleeping together with a bunch of other "GC contenders" at the back when Sky put the pressure on.

 

[Ferminal]

Prudhomme and the Badger at the finish today:

Are we supposed to read something into that?

 

[jens_attacks]

someone should tell prudhomme to give to the catalunya organizers some gps devices on motorbikes.

 

[will10]

Guardini finished in the peleton today.

My prediction was right, then

 

[Ruudz0r]

Well, Meersman ain't a GC rider and Brambilla was sleeping together with a bunch of other "GC contenders" at the back when Sky put the pressure on.

Brambilla did a lot of work in the chase to the 2 escapees, so it had nothing to do with sleeping. So he just has no GC aspirations for this race (or the team wont let him have any).

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Brambilla did a lot of work in the chase to the 2 escapees, so it had nothing to do with sleeping. So he just has no GC aspirations for this race (or the team wont let him have any).

really? Its QS, but still....