Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2020, Spain, February 5 - February 9

[manafana]

Mostly interested in how Dumoulin does here

sadly now out, saying ill but who knows if that is the only reason

 

[Lequack]

Darn, that sucks with no Dumoulin.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

That sucks. Besides the progress of some young guys, Dumoulin's comeback is something i've been looking forward to most (well, along with van Aert's).

Edit: seems to be just some casual illness? Flu perhaps? His next race is scheduled to be Tirreno Adriatico but that's a month out? I wonder if he'll start somewhere else in the meantime.

 

[Laplaz]

Watch out for Marc Soler, he could surprise here (if he doesn't have to work for Bala ofc).

 

[Red Rick]

That sucks. Besides the progress of some young guys, Dumoulin's comeback is something i've been looking forward to most (well, along with van Aert's).

Edit: seems to be just some casual illness? Flu perhaps? His next race is scheduled to be Tirreno Adriatico but that's a month out? I wonder if he'll start somewhere else in the meantime.

Seems like it.

He returned home on Monday. Perhaps if he recovers they can fit in UAE Tour or something

 

[Blanco]

Watch out for Marc Soler, he could surprise here (if he doesn't have to work for Bala ofc).

There's no need for him to work for Valverde really. There's enough teammates to put them both into position before the key climbs (stage 2 and 4). Stage 2 wall is pretty short so I guess it will be every man for himself. Stage 4 hill is longer, there could be some tactics included, maybe Soler will try little earlier with Bala waiting for very end to strike.

 

[Valv.Piti]

*** it, lets throw in a longer Mas de la Costa in what basically is the first race of half the peloton. Lets go, needless to say I love it.

This really isnt a race for Soler though, he doesnt like these muritos too much. But he is in some great shape already it seems.

 

[Salvarani]

*** it, lets throw in a longer Mas de la Costa in what basically is the first race of half the peloton. Lets go, needless to say I love it.

This really isnt a race for Soler though, he doesnt like these muritos too much. But he is in some great shape already it seems.

And being in great shape could be the key factor here. Because that last climb is unforgiving, if you not at your best yet.

There is a possibility to make the first half of the stage really hard too. If a break does not go of course. Or if someone in contention for GC takes a gamble and tries going in a break.

 

[Koronin]

Bala and Soler are going as co-leaders. My guess on that longer climb is Soler will attack a bit earlier and try to force the rivals to try to catch him with Valverde sitting on their wheels. Valverde likely will be more than happy to wait for the end to out sprint everyone.

 

[Escarabajo]

Is Sierra de Bernia harder than Mas de la Costa?

 

[Anderis]

I guess Mas de Costa is not as hard as Bernal de Valverde.

 

[Escarabajo]

Corrected it.

 

[Anderis]

It still consists of (Enric) Mas and (Rui) Costa so I think my joke still applies.

 

[manafana]

This early in seasons plays to Valverde, most the good riders won't be as sharp just yet, stupid finish for first GC race of yr in Spain

 

[Blanco]

This early in seasons plays to Valverde, most the good riders won't be as sharp just yet, stupid finish for first GC race of yr in Spain

And what finish wouldn't be stupid?

 

[Lequack]

Stage 1 » Castelló › Vila-Real (180k)
Live today on Eurosport 2 @ 15:00 - 16:30 CET.

 

[Lequack]

 

[Lequack]

Live stream has started. 45km to go.

 

[RedheadDane]

Groenewegen out of nowhere!

 

[Pharazon]

1st race i've seen live this season and Carlton Kirby has thoroughly pissed me off already

 

[Cinemaniak]

Groenewegen, like a bullet

 

[Salvarani]

Not that he was close to winning, but Lobato looking like he is in a bit better form than last year early in the season.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Groenewegen miles and miles ahead of the rest in speed here. He came from what, 15th position to win? Jakobsen was brought perfectly... jeesh
Then again it's only Jakobsen who is serious competition anyway. The rest is not exactly top sprinter

Really think Jakobsen should have won that given Groenewegen was so far back. But I guess the difference in speed is clear...

 

[Lequack]

 

[Red Rick]

Lol that EQS rider already cheering for Jakobsen got found out.