Volta ao Algarve em Bicicleta 2020, Portugal, February 19 - February 23

[Lequack]

Packed with talent this year, including youngsters Remco and Van der Poel. Of the more established GC riders are Nibali, Geraint Thomas, Superman Lopez, Mollema, Dan Martin, and others.
There is also a flat 20k ITT at the end.

https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/volta-ao-algarve/2020/gc/overview
http://voltaaoalgarve.com/en/

Live video stream available on Eurosport.

Full startlist: https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/volta-ao-algarve/2020/gc/startlist

 

[Lequack]

Stage 1 » Portimão › Lagos (195.6k)

Stage 2 » Sagres › Alto da Fóia (183.9k)

Stage 3 » Faro › Tavira (201.9k)

Stage 4 » Albufeira › Malhão (169.7k)

Stage 5 (ITT) » Lagoa › Lagoa (20.3k)

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Stage 4 a try-out towards Flèche Wallonne for some?

 

[Lequack]

From the man himself:

 

[red_flanders]

This should be interesting, looking forward to it.

From the man himself:

Don’t do it Remco, you’re way, way too young.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Ruh-roh.

 

[Boes]

Getting married?
Anyway, Remco will be up there, especially with the TT at the end.

Anyone knows the form of other main contenders such as Nibali, Thomas, Lopez and such?

 

[SafeBet]

Remco is the favourite.
Mollema, Rui Costa and Kwiatkowski will be up there. Wellens could challenge too.

I'm not expecting Nibali/G. Thomas to be in top shape. And the parcours doesn't really favor Superman.
There are a few youngsters to keep an eye on (Leknessund, Brunel, Van Wilder, Almeida).

 

[MatParker117]

Ineos have three guys who can win this.

 

[Mayomaniac]

We will witness the return of CT- level Amaro

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Remco is the favourite.
Mollema, Rui Costa and Kwiatkowski will be up there. Wellens could challenge too.

I'm not expecting Nibali/G. Thomas to be in top shape. And the parcours doesn't really favor Superman.
There are a few youngsters to keep an eye on (Leknessund, Brunel, Van Wilder, Almeida).

Yep. I'll be watching the race for Evenepoel, Van Wilder, Leknessund and van der Poel.

 

[Wvv]

Stage 4 a try-out towards Flèche Wallonne for some?

It's not really that steep. Last year Stybar got the better of SKA after a very entertaining race.

 

[RedheadDane]

Don’t do it Remco, you’re way, way too young.

Don't do... what? Nothing in the post indicating that he's planning to do more than what he's already proven he's capable of.

Getting married?

What?

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Don't do... what? Nothing in the post indicating that he's planning to do more than what he's already proven he's capable of.

What?

Did you read the tweet?

 

[RedheadDane]

Did you read the tweet?

Yes... and...

1. He's already proven that he's more than capable of winning big bike races.
2. "Big steps in life (private)" doesn't have to mean "marriage". It could be… anything.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

It's not really that steep. Last year Stybar got the better of SKA after a very entertaining race.

It's less steep but longer according to the profile. 2.5k @9.5% average, max 15%, so it's not exactly the same indeed, but still.

 

[Wvv]

It's less steep but longer according to the profile. 2.5k @9.5% average, max 15%, so it's not exactly the same indeed, but still.

I think it's quite comparable to the uphill finish in Valencia recently, where Pogacar got the better of Valverde and Teuns.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Yes... and...

1. He's already proven that he's more than capable of winning big bike races.
2. "Big steps in life (private)" doesn't have to mean "marriage". It could be… anything.

He's explicitly including his personal life in the tweet. Talking about big steps and knowing what he wants and whom with. Could be anything, but it's clearly not about a new haircut. So marriage doesn't seem unlikely.

 

[RedheadDane]

But not the only option.

 

[Bonimenier]

Doesn't have to be marriage. I suppose they'll move in together before that.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Doesn't have to be marriage. I suppose they'll move in together before that.

As long as you don't pull an Aru and move in together after dating for only 2 weeks it's all good and not our buisness.
Back to the race, Schachmann could do really well, if he's in shape.

 

[yaco]

Dennis was in good shape at the TDU, so should find this to his liking - Agree that Schachmann has a chance for a podium, Mollema should do well while Rui Costa was the strongest rider at the Saudi Tour - It's a wide open race.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

But not the only option.

Never said it was. Just that your initial response to people saying "he's too young" or "getting married" was a bit weird, as if they were making stuff up or that you didn't read the tweet. Anyway, let's leave it at that.

 

[RedheadDane]

Never said it was. Just that your initial response to people saying "he's too young" or "getting married" was a bit weird, as if they were making stuff up or that you didn't read the tweet. Anyway, let's leave it at that.

I thought the "Too young" bit referred to attempting to win the GC here. That is what he's trying to do, right?

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

I thought the "Too young" bit referred to attempting to win the GC here. That is what he's trying to do, right?

That's definitely not what Red flanders was refering to. I thought that was obvious. Why would he be too young to try and win a GC when he already won 2 and when Pogacar won this race last year?