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

[manafana]

SOmeone will suprise tommorow maybe fugslang, but yeah the big 3 should be up their.

 

[wirral]

David Lopez to solo the last 2 big mountains leaving the cycling fraternity aghast at Sky's awesome depth of talent.

 

[jaylew]

I think he could win again if given free reign but I see Nairo protecting Valverde's jersey instead.

 

[greenedge]

Quintana again.
Pinot and Scarponi could also attack.

Valverde or JROD to win the overall, Wiggins to finish with them.

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

Do they care about that? In terms of publicity Valverde is much more interesting for Movistar than Quintana, and they have enough riders with points to easily make the top 15 each year.

This. There is no way Valverde will gift GC to a teammate. So I guess Quintana has to hope Valverde will have a bad day today. Not likely, of course.

 

[kjetilraknerud]

Fantastic stage profile, looks like the final climb is around 20 kilometers at 75%

 

[Ferminal]

Yeh if they don't let Quintana go I hope Purito jumps away and grabs the GC

 

[Winterfold]

If Wiggo finishes in a few s of Valverde and Purito then he will have made his point so I can't see beyond one of those two for GC as they will have the time bonuses , assuming Quintana rides to get Valverdevthe GC.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

If Wiggo finishes in a few s of Valverde and Purito then he will have made his point so I can't see beyond one of those two for GC as they will have the time bonuses , assuming Quintana rides to get Valverdevthe GC.

No bonus secs today, but the rest of the stages will have them.

 

[Ruudz0r]

Pozzovivo is slowly getting better and better form, hopefully he attacks today.

 

[spalco]

This. There is no way Valverde will gift GC to a teammate. So I guess Quintana has to hope Valverde will have a bad day today. Not likely, of course.

I don't see how it's fair to call it a gift, if in this scenario Quintana is simply the strongest guy in the peloton and all Valverde is "gifting" is to tell him "go for it".

 

[HiCadence]

Wiggins to ride like a champion again.

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

I don't see how it's fair to call it a gift, if in this scenario Quintana is simply the strongest guy in the peloton and all Valverde is "gifting" is to tell him "go for it".

Potato potatoe.

As long as Valverde can beat the rest of the field it can be considered a gift. He was the designated team leader AND leads GC at present. Not Quintana.

 

[spalco]

No, I disagree. It would certainly be gracious and humble of Valverde, but a gift in this context is a rider letting someone else win, despite the former being the stronger one. If Quintana is the strongest (which I'm not convinced of anyway, despite his impressive win yesterday) I think it would be disrespectful to call it a gift if he ends up winning the GC.

 

[Ferminal]

Potato potatoe.

As long as Valverde can beat the rest of the field it can be considered a gift. He was the designated team leader AND leads GC at present. Not Quintana.

What do you think of the tactics though? Have Quintana guide him around and risk being Purito'd, or send Quintana up the road to force the others to chase?

I guess it depends on the strength of Skyrail.

 

[Cimber]

Fantastic stage profile, looks like the final climb is around 20 kilometers at 75%

That is indeed steep

 

[Bernie's eyesore]

That is indeed steep

I can see some of the sprinters having to get off at walk at that gradient. Should suit Pozzovivo.

 

[Morbius]

Does anyone expect gaps at the line between the three GC contenders?

I expect the train will be going as hard as it can over the last two climbs to attempt to drop JRod and Valverde, and as there are no super-steep sections they will probably succeed. Wiggins will finish 2nd close behind Quintana on the stage.

 

[Jan the Man]

I expect bigger gaps than today because of the length and preceding difficulty of the stage.

 

[Lexman]

still all together, Pauwels tried to escape but was recaught quickly

 

[Roude Leiw]

If it's less cold now, surely Rujano

He is on top form, lost only 4 min yesterday, surely to have more leeway to go into the breaks today....

 

[Leadbelly]

On the second climb of the day - 25 riders ahead with 40 secs.

 

[wirral]

25 riders have a 40-second advantage. Names to follow.

Here's 10.

7 BETANCUR, Carlos (COL/Ag2R)
15 ARU, Fabio (ITA/Astana)
23 TEN DAM, Laurens (NED/Blanco)
27 KRUIJSWIJK, Steven (NED/Blanco)
36 SANTAROMITA, Ivan (ITA/BMC)
46 SALERNO, Cristiano (ITA/Cannondale)
54 ASTARLOZA, Mikel (ESP/Euskaltel)
68 PICHON, Laurent (FRA/FDJ)
71 HESJEDAL, Ryder (CAN/Garmin)
75 MARTIN, Daniel (IRL/Garmin)

 

[infeXio]

Thats strong oO

 

[Lexman]

25 riders have a 40-second advantage. Names to follow.

Here's 10.

7 BETANCUR, Carlos (COL/Ag2R)
15 ARU, Fabio (ITA/Astana)
23 TEN DAM, Laurens (NED/Blanco)
27 KRUIJSWIJK, Steven (NED/Blanco)
36 SANTAROMITA, Ivan (ITA/BMC)
46 SALERNO, Cristiano (ITA/Cannondale)
54 ASTARLOZA, Mikel (ESP/Euskaltel)
68 PICHON, Laurent (FRA/FDJ)
71 HESJEDAL, Ryder (CAN/Garmin)
75 MARTIN, Daniel (IRL/Garmin)

nice group and no LTB?