Volta ao Algarve May 5-9 2021

[Wvv]

Strong sprint by Danny VP tho. Intermarché is granted a first win, I bet they're gonna take it in the Giro.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Just noticed that Bennett was sprinting on the hoods again there lol. He seems to do it about one sprint in five, no idea why.

 

[Faserr]

He does it on uphill sprints.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

He does it on uphill sprints.

On every uphill sprint? You are definitely right that both this finish and that one where he was on the hoods in Paris Nice were uphill.

I wonder what his reasoning is. Obviously aero position is less important in a slower sprint, but it still matters. Does he get more power out? It’s the kind of thing I wish interviewers asked about more often.

 

[Bonimenier]

On every uphill sprint? You are definitely right that both this finish and that one where he was on the hoods in Paris Nice were uphill.

I wonder what his reasoning is. Obviously aero position is less important in a slower sprint, but it still matters. Does he get more power out? It’s the kind of thing I wish interviewers asked about more often.

I remember him saying in an interview last year that he gets more power on the hoods.

 

[happytramp]

On every uphill sprint? You are definitely right that both this finish and that one where he was on the hoods in Paris Nice were uphill.

I wonder what his reasoning is. Obviously aero position is less important in a slower sprint, but it still matters. Does he get more power out? It’s the kind of thing I wish interviewers asked about more often.

Yeah, one of his former team mates (paul vos I think) explained that he does it on uphill sprints because he can generate more power that way.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

That was actually an incredibly long sprint by Van Poppel. The guy was in the wind almost from the same time as Morkov.

 

[SafeBet]

Are any of the locals likely to do anything tomorrow? Is it just likely to be Sosa v Kamna?

Rui Costa? Amaro Antunes? Joni Brandao too.

Actually I'm not completely sure Kamna is the hot favorite for this race. He hasn't raced much this year and when he did he went for breaks instead of GC.
I also have a few question marks about Sosa. Wonderful climber for smaller races but inconsistent and a dreadful TTer.

I think the race is quite open.

 

[BlueRoads]

I'm not sure about Kämna either. His form ends with a questionmark and his team-support is Politt. But in the end there's just the stage today and then not getting left behind on stage 5. He's still a decent time trialer and the competition isn't overwhelming. Rui Costa is in the mix for sure.

 

[Bushman]

If the climbers in this race are not on their best form, a guy like Asgreen (depending on his shape ofc) might actually defend himself very well. He was 6th on mt. Baldy in 2019 beaten only by good climbers, which is a tougher climb than anything they will find here.

 

[Pinot's goat]

If the climbers in this race are not on their best form, a guy like Asgreen (depending on his shape ofc) might actually defend himself very well. He was 6th on mt. Baldy in 2019 beaten only by good climbers, which is a tougher climb than anything they will find here.

Asgreen lost 39s and said his form is not great but there is a chance it could be like Valenciana if the climbers don't go hard today.

 

[Lequack]

Lennard Kämna should win this easily.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Amaro for the win today.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

The peloton let the eight man break have a bit too much rope early on. UAE have it well under control now though

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Climbing starts soon. Gap at 4:15. Probably not enough unless someone in the break that i know nothing about is a very strong climber

 

[Mayomaniac]

Why are Ineos pulling? Do they expect Sosa to win on those gradients? If it was Malhão I could understand them, but not on this kind of climb.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Why are Ineos pulling? Do they expect Sosa to win on those gradients? If it was Malhão I could understand them, but not on this kind of climb.

expectations may vary with the strength of the competition.

 

[SafeBet]

Why are Ineos pulling? Do they expect Sosa to win on those gradients? If it was Malhão I could understand them, but not on this kind of climb.

Hayter?

 

[Mayomaniac]

Hayter?

That's a fair point, Hayter can climb a bit.

 

[RedheadDane]

Lazy commentators! Can't even be bothered to use the full name of the Portuguese conti teams!

 

[sir fly]

That's a fair point, Hayter can climb a bit.

No man, you've got it wrong...

 

[RedheadDane]

Costa down!

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Costa crashed. All up to W52 now for Portugal...

 

[Wvv]

Never been a fan of Costa, but I feel sad for him being cursed in his country's biggest race.

 

[Mayomaniac]

W52 riding at the front, what time of the year is it?