Volta Ciclista a Catalunya 2018

[fauniera]

19.03.-25.03.2018, World Tour

No time trials, as usual.

provisional startlist

Official site: http://www.voltacatalunya.cat/

 

[fauniera]

So no Bonaigua on the way to Vielha. Would be risky in March of course.

Vallter 2000:

Results of Vallter 2000 mountain top finishes: 2013, 2014

 

[Samamba]

That Valter 2000 stage is gonna be a problem with the expected weather.

 

[Valv.Piti]

I like stage 5 after two tough mountain stages. Stage 2 has also produced some good racing, or at least a similar setup. Vallter is a pretty good MTF, la Molina is pretty dirt and more or less a sure Valverde-win unless something unpredictable happens. Barcelona always produces good racing.

 

[Red Rick]

I really wouldn't mind Catalunya to start with a short prologue. I'm no fan of seeing La Molina again and again when it gets 2km of relevant action.

That said, will be interesting how this race goes with 7 man teams.

Wil be an interesting race, but the heaviest hitters aren't here, and Quintana is probably not riding for himself. There's a bunch of younger GC riders though, so that will be interesting to see.

 

[Gigs_98]

Mediocre route but I really like that La Molina comes after the big mtf this time. Maybe we'll get a little more action this time, although I wouldn't bet on it.

 

[Red Rick]

Who's leading Sky?

In any case, I just realised what I dislike about this race. It's because the field is very specialised. Classic riders and sprinters are all preparing for other stuff elsewhere, so the field is very heavy on climbers and differences are small.

 

[yaco]

The Startlist has enough decent GC riders - I suspect it will be a competitive race. Happy to see Nieve make his season debut.

 

[Bot. Sky_Bot]

It would be interesting to rate the performance of Quintana, Pinot, Nieve and.. Bernal.

 

[fauniera]

Re:

In any case, I just realised what I dislike about this race. It's because the field is very specialised. Classic riders and sprinters are all preparing for other stuff elsewhere, so the field is very heavy on climbers and differences are small.

What's the problem with that? It's a race for gc riders/climbers and why shouldn't it be? It's a logical choice given the landscape and cycling tradition in Catalunya.

On a similar note, it would be logical for Tirreno-Adriatico to focus on muritos and sterrato. Not to be just another race with a mountain top finish.

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

In any case, I just realised what I dislike about this race. It's because the field is very specialised. Classic riders and sprinters are all preparing for other stuff elsewhere, so the field is very heavy on climbers and differences are small.

What's the problem with that? It's a race for gc riders/climbers and why shouldn't it be? It's a logical choice given the landscape and cycling tradition in Catalunya.

On a similar note, it would be logical for Tirreno-Adriatico to focus on muritos and sterrato. Not to be just another race with a mountain top finish.

I'm not saying that it shouldn't be like that, I'm just saying I dislike it. Field is very homogenous, differences are small, no ITT so all is decided on the MTF usually. And the climbs are generally not steep enough to force something.

Catalunya definitely has its place in the WT, and it fills a decent niche that it's usually the first Euro stage race to go over 2000m and climb the really high mountains.

 

[DNP-Old]

Egan vs Gaudu part III(?).

The former is obviously going to win this bike race.

 

[fauniera]

Re:

Egan vs Gaudu part III(?).

The former is obviously going to win this bike race.

What about Nairo?

 

[DNP-Old]

Re: Re:

Egan vs Gaudu part III(?).

The former is obviously going to win this bike race.

What about Nairo?

What about him?

 

[Valv.Piti]

Bernal is a good option for a top-10, maybe even top-5, but not more. De La Cruz is also in some fine shape and they also do have Henao, but he has regressed a fair amount since his Paris-Nice win one year earlier.

I think Nairo will domestique for Valverde, since the route obviously suits him better than Nairo, that Valverde most likely is in better shape and maybe that Nairo hopes he will pay that back in July. At least thats how I interpret the whole situation with being more calm and super-peaking for the Tour.

 

[Oliver]

Who beats Valverde for the overall win? (Nobody I guess)

 

[del1962]

Are Orica (I know thats not their name now) sending both Yates, Chaves, Haig, Verona and Nieve to this race, pretty strong climbers, but only Impey as a Roleur

 

[Leinster]

Bora are sending Sam Bennett. Talk about insult to injury after not picking him for MSR. What’s next on his program, the Ardennes? The Dauphine?

 

[Salvarani]

Who beats Valverde for the overall win? (Nobody I guess)

I dont know... but a few teams definitely brought some good riders and climbers with them.

 

[search]

Re:

Are Orica (I know thats not their name now) sending both Yates, Chaves, Haig, Verona and Nieve to this race, pretty strong climbers, but only Impey as a Roleur

Nieve has crashed in training and will not start the race

http://www.diariovasco.com/deportes/ciclismo/mikel-nieve-pierde-20180314000844-ntvo.html

 

[jaylew]

Re:

Who's leading Sky?

In any case, I just realised what I dislike about this race. It's because the field is very specialised. Classic riders and sprinters are all preparing for other stuff elsewhere, so the field is very heavy on climbers and differences are small.

Funny, I like this race for the exact same reasons

 

[Netserk]

Move it back to May.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Re:

Bora are sending Sam Bennett. Talk about insult to injury after not picking him for MSR. What’s next on his program, the Ardennes? The Dauphine?

If he’s not going to MSR, he might as well contest a couple of WT sprint stages in a race where the sprinting field is notoriously weak. It’d do him no harm to pick up a stage or two in a reasonably prestigious race rather than twiddling his thumbs at home.

I’m a bit surprised that he’s not going to MSR, if only because he could be a useful fallback option if Sagan goes in a move but it all comes back together. Perhaps an indication that Sagan is planning to follow wheels this year.

 

[yaco]

Re:

Are Orica (I know thats not their name now) sending both Yates, Chaves, Haig, Verona and Nieve to this race, pretty strong climbers, but only Impey as a Roleur

I believe that's the plan at this stage but of course things could change - Impey for the sort of sprint stage - Looking at this team it seems Verona will have a long week.

Edit - Just read about Nieve's crash which means he'll head into the Giro on a limited preparation.

 

[yaco]

Re: Re:

Bora are sending Sam Bennett. Talk about insult to injury after not picking him for MSR. What’s next on his program, the Ardennes? The Dauphine?

If he’s not going to MSR, he might as well contest a couple of WT sprint stages in a race where the sprinting field is notoriously weak. It’d do him no harm to pick up a stage or two in a reasonably prestigious race rather than twiddling his thumbs at home.

I’m a bit surprised that he’s not going to MSR, if only because he could be a useful fallback option if Sagan goes in a move but it all comes back together. Perhaps an indication that Sagan is planning to follow wheels this year.

Doubt that Bennett will get over the Cipressa and the Poggio,so its a wise move to send him to Catalunya. - And I'll add Groenewegen and Kittel to that group