Volta a Catalunya 2013 - Stage 4: Llanars → Port Ainé (217 kms)

[Libertine Seguros]

2013 in really good mountain stage shock!

Kudos to Martin, he's in a great position at the moment where he's not marked enough that a break with him is killed, and an attack from him early in a climb doesn't bring an instant reaction from the heads of state, but he is strong enough and good enough uphill to reap the benefits of that. It's kind of the reverse Cunego problem. Cunego has the problem that he's no longer good enough to win most mountain stages from the heads of state group unless they all stay together, but his palmarès is such that until he's lost quite a bit of time he won't be given the freedom he needs to get into the breaks, win from those early attacks and so on. Martin, however, IS strong, but is afforded a lot of freedom that many other riders - including a number who are no stronger than him - aren't. And he has the class and the ability to take it to the house when given a chance like today.

 

[Pentacycle]

2013 in really good mountain stage shock!

Kudos to Martin, he's in a great position at the moment where he's not marked enough that a break with him is killed, and an attack from him early in a climb doesn't bring an instant reaction from the heads of state, but he is strong enough and good enough uphill to reap the benefits of that. It's kind of the reverse Cunego problem. Cunego has the problem that he's no longer good enough to win most mountain stages from the heads of state group unless they all stay together, but his palmarès is such that until he's lost quite a bit of time he won't be given the freedom he needs to get into the breaks, win from those early attacks and so on. Martin, however, IS strong, but is afforded a lot of freedom that many other riders - including a number who are no stronger than him - aren't. And he has the class and the ability to take it to the house when given a chance like today.

Still he was way behind on stage 3, so whether he'll suddenly be very strong as soon as he's got the leader's jersey, remains to be seen. Quintana and Purito still look very strong to me.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Still he was way behind on stage 3, so whether he'll suddenly be very strong as soon as he's got the leader's jersey, remains to be seen. Quintana and Purito still look very strong to me.

They do, but Martin has a pretty good record in hilly Classics and medium mountain stages, and while Katyusha can put the pressure on him, Movistar are shorn of a couple of big weapons with no Capecchi and Valverde. Tomorrow should give him a chance to recover, and I think he can hang on into Valls. It's whether Katyusha really tear him apart in Montjuïc that will be the question.

 

[del1962]

2013 in really good mountain stage shock!

Kudos to Martin, he's in a great position at the moment where he's not marked enough that a break with him is killed, and an attack from him early in a climb doesn't bring an instant reaction from the heads of state, but he is strong enough and good enough uphill to reap the benefits of that. It's kind of the reverse Cunego problem. Cunego has the problem that he's no longer good enough to win most mountain stages from the heads of state group unless they all stay together, but his palmarès is such that until he's lost quite a bit of time he won't be given the freedom he needs to get into the breaks, win from those early attacks and so on. Martin, however, IS strong, but is afforded a lot of freedom that many other riders - including a number who are no stronger than him - aren't. And he has the class and the ability to take it to the house when given a chance like today.

The Valverde Crash aswell helped, I think the peleton lost maybe 2 minutes waiting to see if he would continue

But still great ride from the Irish Brummie, be interesting if he can respond to attacks

 

[martinvickers]

Haha, yeah. It's only a problem if they're competing for Britain.

Es tut mir leid aber ich verstehe Sie nicht.

 

[martinvickers]

I didn't know Birmingham was in Ireland

AS a famous Irishman once said "Just because a man is born in a stable, doesn't make him a horse!"

 

[gthx_gthx_]

in fact Vdb rode stupid in hindsight. First when he joined Gesink he barely did any pulls. Riding 'smartly' I suppose. Then he attacks, only to hold a gap of 4 seconds for 7 remaining km... if he was smart, he would look back to see he isn't gaining anything, and work together again...
Not sure what he gained by that attack other then to ride alone for 7km as a result

Yes i noticed that too and i think VDB played his cards weirdly. It seems that he only likes to ride on his own...

Great stage today and congratulations to Gesink and VDB , they didn't wait for the last 2 km and it payed off. The Same goes to Dan Martin.

 

[theyoungest]

2013 in really good mountain stage shock!

Kudos to Martin, he's in a great position at the moment where he's not marked enough that a break with him is killed, and an attack from him early in a climb doesn't bring an instant reaction from the heads of state, but he is strong enough and good enough uphill to reap the benefits of that. It's kind of the reverse Cunego problem. Cunego has the problem that he's no longer good enough to win most mountain stages from the heads of state group unless they all stay together, but his palmarès is such that until he's lost quite a bit of time he won't be given the freedom he needs to get into the breaks, win from those early attacks and so on. Martin, however, IS strong, but is afforded a lot of freedom that many other riders - including a number who are no stronger than him - aren't. And he has the class and the ability to take it to the house when given a chance like today.

Cunego was happily let go in recent editions of the Giro and Tirreno, he just wasn't good enough to finish it off. Remember that Giro stage Thomas de Gendt won? He dropped Cunego there.

 

[postmanhat]

AS a famous Irishman once said "Just because a man is born in a stable, doesn't make him a horse!"

A bit harsh on Andy Townsend

 

[Lexman]

Idd, Gesink not bad at all today. Actually VDB should've been much better. The Belgian's condition has been great since San Luis and I haven't read anything about him having been ill.

But D_T, if I were you I'd still not have high hopes of Dutch Giro success. Top 5 should be his goal, or else he can only disappoint again.

VDB must miss race rhythm, since he didn't race anymore from the Mallorca races....

 

[rghysens]

VDB must miss race rhythm, since he didn't race anymore from the Mallorca races....

Ruta del Sol?

 

[Pentacycle]

VDB must miss race rhythm, since he didn't race anymore from the Mallorca races....

He raced San Luis, Mallorca and Andalucia, that's a month without racing until Catalunya. Van Garderen was 4th in Paris-Nice after not racing for 5 weeks, so it's possible to do well with just training for a while.

 

[jamesmasters]

Interesting to see how Wiggins matches up against very strong climbers without the strongest Sky train to back him up. Looks like he didn't do great but didn't do particularly badly either. Lost 26s to Jrod in a very difficult stage which isn't amazing but nor is it that bad given that Jrod is probably a bit more race sharp and given that 26s is almost meaningless compared to what Jrod would lose to Wiggins in a long time trial.

 

[webvan]

Yes I don't think he was left to his own devices as much as he has this week compared to the entire 2012 season! Not sure if it's a good thing for him but it's certainly something new and of interest to cycling fans.

 

[postmanhat]

A bit disapointing to see Katusha ride so conservatively. Had four men getting a toe from Uran until the last 2k. Hope someone makes them regret it on Montjuic

 

[cineteq]

Interesting to see how Wiggins matches up against very strong climbers without the strongest Sky train to back him up. Looks like he didn't do great but didn't do particularly badly either.

Now, multiply that (exponentially) by 3 weeks and what do you get? Hint: see Froome's final time in 2012 Vuelta.

 

[jamesmasters]

Now, multiply that (exponentially) by 3 weeks and what do you get? Hint: see Froome's final time in 2012 Vuelta.

I think Froome's performance in 2012 Vuelta was more down to tiredness, although of course it didn't help him that he didn't have a strong train there either.

I think there is no clear verdict on Wiggins either way from this. Not great but not conclusive proof that he is train dependent, I mean 26s to a climber who is more race sharp is hardly bad, and he didn't lose anything in the previous stage.

I think Contador lost about the same amount to Jrod in one of the Oman climbs and was clearly struggling, but nobody would conclude that Contador can't climb without a train.

 

[jamesmasters]

I'd add, I do think the lack of a time trial makes this more interesting because Wiggins has to do something to win. He can't just annihilate everyone in the time trial and then sit behind the train. There isn't any time trial and the train isn't that strong. Let's see if he has anything to show in the last few stages - it looks like it will end in failure albeit not a really bad fail.

 

[cineteq]

I think Froome's performance in 2012 Vuelta was more down to tiredness, although of course it didn't help him that he didn't have a strong train there either.

I've dismissed that thought in the past, but you're entitle to your own opinion.

I think there is no clear verdict on Wiggins either way from this. Not great but not conclusive proof that he is train dependent, I mean 26s to a climber who is more race sharp is hardly bad, and he didn't lose anything in the previous stage.

He can prove me wrong by not losing more time in the last 2 stages. I doubt it. However, we will see his debacle soon enough in the 2013 Giro.

 

[jamesmasters]

I've dismissed that thought in the past, but you're entitle to your own opinion.

He can prove me wrong by not losing more time in the last 2 stages. I doubt it. However, we will see his debacle soon enough in the 2013 Giro.

Well, it will all be revealed in the GTs. Personally I can't see anyone beating Wiggins in the Giro although it will be interesting to see how dependent he is on the TTs to do it. I also think Froome is the favorite for the Tour. I'm not a Sky fanboy, btw...

 

[The Hitch]

I've dismissed that thought in the past, but you're entitle to your own opinion.

Yes you have.

With absolutely no arguments worth a salt to back it up, but when has that ever stopped you

 

[greenedge]

Congrats to Martin.

Quintana and JROD are still in the race though.

 

[cineteq]

With absolutely no arguments worth a salt to back it up

Hmmm... it sounds more like a description of yourself. Are you in front of a mirror or something?

 

[The Hitch]

I know you are but what am I]

Really? That's all you got?

you used to be a lot better. I think cn needs to consider finding a new forum troll cos your heart doesn't seem to be in it anymore.

 

[maxmartin]

A bit disapointing to see Katusha ride so conservatively. Had four men getting a toe from Uran until the last 2k. Hope someone makes them regret it on Montjuic

that is the direct result of Jrod racing style, that is also why some people criticizing JRod wheel sucking. He like to wait to the final 2 km, then using his explosiveness drop his opponent to gain as many as possible seconds.