Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana (2.1) February 3-7

[gooner]

Stage: 1 - 3 February : Benicàssim - Oropesa del Mar ITT, 16.25km

Stage: 2 - 4 February : Castellón de la Plana - Fredes, 163.3km

Stage: 3 - 5 February : Sagunto - Alzira, 173.5km

Stage: 4 - 6 February : Orihuela - Xorret de Catí, 141.3km

Stage: 5 - 7 February : Valencia, 120.6km

STARTLIST: http://www.vueltacv.com/#!equipos/ny5it

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Great to see this back. After the return to multi-day racing of Madrid and the return full stop of Asturias, the signs that the moribund Spanish national calendar has started to regain some traction are there. Albeit it's easier to attract the teams for a February race before various other national calendars kick in. A pretty decent first route for the comeback of the race, what with having the final few days of the Vuelta it seems the region is getting rather back on board with the sport, which is good. And Xorret del Catí is always nice to see. I do wish that the profiles would use the same scale for each stage, though, mind.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Not bad, Fredes doesnt seem selective, but Xorret will provide that. Wish they had a hilly stages instead of one of the sprinter stages, but can't get everything. Looking forward to watch the first cycling of the season. I remember the trio of the 3 stage races in February in Spain from PCM 06 and they are all back now in some shape or form. Looking forward to whether Dayer can continue to his showing and Ion's early form as well, he could potentially do a really good result in Paris-Nice.

 

[MatParker117]

Kiryienka to take the first stage and it looks like Sky vs. Movistar for the GC.

 

[Marco Pantani]

With Purito and Aru also on the starting list, this should become an interesing fight for GC. Bring it on.

I love cycling.

 

[Velolover2]

Xorret del Catí is a perfect climb for Purito. But he tends not to be in super shape that early in the season.

Same with Aru who peaks for the GTs.

I think we are going to see some underdogs being good in this race.

 

[barmaher]

That is a decent route, I think. I don't think teams would appreciate multiple HC climbs in early February. The fact that there is a mini-climb in the ITT is good.

The organisers have been rewarded with a nice looking field. Let's hope they manage not to run over any riders.

 

[May0maniac]

Re:

Xorret del Catí is a perfect climb for Purito. But he tends not to be in super shape that early in the season.

Same with Aru who peaks for the GTs.

I think we are going to see some underdogs being good in this race.

Aru wants to have a first peak for Pais Vasco, but you're right, he shouldn't be in top shape right here.

 

[Anderis]

As always- we know rosters most of the teams much earlier, than Cannondale's one.

 

[DBotero]

Diego Rosa might have a chance to win this if Aru/J.Rod are not ready yet.Great to see Tusnad team invited here.
Xorret del Cati is great,too bad Taaramae is not selected by Katusha.

 

[Arredondo]

Purito will not finish in the top-20. He always uses 2 prep races to get into shape. From Tirreno we can expect the old Purito again.

Nice race, with a fairly good route. Xorret is always a highlight.

 

[Velolover2]

Re:

Purito will not finish in the top-20. He always uses 2 prep races to get into shape. From Tirreno we can expect the old Purito again.

Nice race, with a fairly good route. Xorret is always a highlight.

I would be surprised if he was pretty good on Xorret. Even if he isn't in shape, it suits him so well. Better than the Green Mountain stage which he won early in the season.

 

[Brullnux]

Does someone want to tell the organisers that having a different scaled y axis for every stage is fairly annoying and slightly misleading.

 

[Gigs_98]

If I'm right super steep gradients don't really suit Aru, so I hope for a Rosa win. Purito would be my favorite but if he really isnt in shape yet I don't think he has a chance on Xorret, no matter how well it suits him.

edit: does anyone think dayer has a chance? At least he just won san luis

 

[Anderis]

Apparently, Jack Bauer back in racing first time since last year's TdF! Let's see how he goes, he was turning into interesting rider for cobbled classics last year.

 

[Brullnux]

Aru was quite stronky in the Vuelta last year on ridiculous gradients and staying (almost) within sight of Purito, so if he's on form then he has a chance.

 

[Velolover2]

If I'm right super steep gradients don't really suit Aru, so I hope for a Rosa win. Purito would be my favorite but if he really isnt in shape yet I don't think he has a chance on Xorret, no matter how well it suits him.

edit: does anyone think dayer has a chance? At least he just won san luis

I think Ion will be their captain. He is pretty good on steep gradients.

 

[Anderis]

Apparently, procyclingstats can't decide what is Cannondale's final roster. They've switched 3 times between 2 versions in the last couple of hours.

 

[janraaskalt2]

Re:

Apparently, procyclingstats can't decide what is Cannondale's final roster. They've switched 3 times between 2 versions in the last couple of hours.

In this case it was a f...up of Cannondale, who sent out wrong press releases.

 

[jens_attacks]

Forzzaaaa diegooo rosaaa

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

Forzzaaaa diegooo rosaaa

I too hope he can get a good result here, let's see what he can do in the ITT first

 

[laarsland]

LaFlorecita, what are the odds that Losada will be leading Katusha here - and if so, what are the odds that he'll do well?

 

[Anderis]

Re: Re:

Apparently, procyclingstats can't decide what is Cannondale's final roster. They've switched 3 times between 2 versions in the last couple of hours.

In this case it was a f...up of Cannondale, who sent out wrong press releases.

Yeah, I see it now.

The final version is the one I like more. Dombrowski-Formolo-Rolland-Slagter will be an interesting combination.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

LaFlorecita, what are the odds that Losada will be leading Katusha here - and if so, what are the odds that he'll do well?

Why are you asking me? not sure if he'll lead but he usually gets a top 20 in this type of race despite being a domestique.

 

[laarsland]

Resident Valenciana-expert!