Volta Ciclista a Catalunya 2022 (March 21-27)

[SafeBet]

Did he really have anywhere near 30 seconds on Nairo? I think it was not much more than 10-15 seconds tops.

Not sure it went up to 30, but I handclocked it at 25 seconds at one point. Gap was big.

 

[Netserk]

Seems like the GC gap is almost big enough to force major attacks attacks before the last lap tomorrow if people behind (3rd place and back) want the GC overturned.

I think most will be hesitant, you don't need to lose many seconds to drop several places.

 

[roundabout]

Is that a different circuit than before? I mean the one I remember does have a steep part, but I am not sure if it was as much as 800 meters at almost 11%.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Is that a different circuit than before? I mean the one I remember does have a steep part, but I am not sure if it was as much as 800 meters at almost 11%.

Same circuit as last year, different main climb (not much else has changed) to what was used in the 2010s, coupled with a trickier run-in than usual.

 

[AlfaLum]

Is that a different circuit than before? I mean the one I remember does have a steep part, but I am not sure if it was as much as 800 meters at almost 11%.

It’s more like 300-400 meters I think.

 

[roundabout]

I think most will be hesitant, you don't need to lose many seconds to drop several places.

I imagine that Almeida and Ayuso might not be happy with how today went and with their deals long-term enough they can afford to risk it to prove a point (to each other mostly)

 

[Netserk]

I imagine that Almeida and Ayuso might not be happy with how today went and with their deals long-term enough they can afford to risk it to prove a point (to each other mostly)

Agreed, it'll be up to that duo and Carapaz.

 

[Salvarani]

How many riders made it to the finish?

 

[groogster]

Not sure it went up to 30, but I handclocked it at 25 seconds at one point. Gap was big.

None of what we saw from UAE makes sense to me... they burned Soler to get the gap down, then Rui Costa and then nothing... where was Ayuso? UAE wants to protect their leaders jersey? If so then Ayuso should have been brought to work sooner. After that why did Ayuso attack all by himself in the descent? After the damage done why did they bring him back?
Would love to ear the insights from team director about what happened today.

 

[roundabout]

Same circuit as last year, different main climb (not much else has changed) to what was used in the 2010s, coupled with a trickier run-in than usual.

hmm, I am thinking that there should have been more separation last year if the main climb was that tough, but let's see and hopefully there will be a battle tomorrow as well

 

[Eclipse]

My brain can't process that there are people who don't like Carapaz

Unquestionably the most exciting stage racer of this generation.

 

[HelloDolly]

Great ride by Carapaz and Higuita

I am a big fan of Carapaz as he always goes for it and is an attacking rider

But Id like to see Higuita win the race tomorrow. Would do wonders for him to win a race like this
Bora havent had a good run recently what with illness etc so maybe that will help them

I do worry though that Higuita stays on his bike tomorrow
Imagine Ineos aren't finished yet

Love when teams cant control races

BTW is Carapaz riding the Giro ???

 

[Jumbo Visma Fan :)]

Great ride by Carapaz and Higuita

I am a big fan of Carapaz as he always goes for it and is an attacking rider

But Id like to see Higuita win the race tomorrow. Would do wonders for him to win a race like this
Bora havent had a good run recently what with illness etc so maybe that will help them

I do worry though that Higuita stays on his bike tomorrow
Imagine Ineos aren't finished yet

Love when teams cant control races

BTW is Carapaz riding the Giro ???

Yes Carapaz right now is planned to ride the Giro as leader for Ineos.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

My brain can't process that there are people who don't like Carapaz

Unquestionably the most exciting stage racer of this generation.

Only reason I can think of is that he spent most of his breakout 2018 Giro wheelsucking and that clouding people's vision ever since.

 

[groogster]

Great ride by Carapaz and Higuita

I am a big fan of Carapaz as he always goes for it and is an attacking rider

But Id like to see Higuita win the race tomorrow. Would do wonders for him to win a race like this
Bora havent had a good run recently what with illness etc so maybe that will help them

I do worry though that Higuita stays on his bike tomorrow
Imagine Ineos aren't finished yet

Love when teams cant control races

BTW is Carapaz riding the Giro ???

Bora lacks the strengh to be able to control tomorrows stage. It will be for sure a crazy crazy stage. I bet that Ayuso and Carapaz will go for it and maybe Quintana and Almeida also. For sure Higuita will be fired upon from all sides tomorrow.

 

[AlfaLum]

Bora lacks the strengh to be able to control tomorrows stage. It will be for sure a crazy crazy stage. I bet that Ayuso and Carapaz will go for it and maybe Quintana and Almeida also. For sure Higuita will be fired upon from all sides tomorrow.

With a stage like this you also have to remember that all the guys you mention need to deal with each other. For Almeida it is not enough to drop only Higuita. For Quintana it is not enough to drop only Higuita and Carapaz. This often plays a role.

Also I think that with Zwiehoff, Palzer and Hindley there the squad isn’t actually that bad for this stage. If you manage to get Hindley and Higuita safely into the last two-three rounds than it should be quite save.

The biggest threat for Higuita is his legs failing after a hard day of racing today.

 

[groogster]

My only question is... Will Higuita and Carapaz have the legs after todays monstrouss efforts? They will perhaps pay the toll. Ineos doesn't have the numbers to protect him in 6 climbs and Bora doesn't have the strengh to control the race. It could be mayhem tomorrow.

 

[groogster]

The biggest threat for Higuita is his legs failing after a hard day of racing today.

That's the million dollar question...

 

[Netserk]

The stage tomorrow is expected to finish between14:02 and 14:22 (CEST), and be aware of the change to daylight saving time tonight for Spain and most of Europe.

 

[postmanhat]

Same circuit as last year, different main climb (not much else has changed) to what was used in the 2010s, coupled with a trickier run-in than usual.

Didn't watch last year, but unless they're doing the circuit in reverse now, can't think of an 800 metre climb within Montjuic?

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Didn't watch last year, but unless they're doing the circuit in reverse now, can't think of an 800 metre climb within Montjuic?

This in opposite direction:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/56wqBKiHXkusYAyz6

 

[postmanhat]

This in opposite direction:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/56wqBKiHXkusYAyz6

Thanks Was fortunate to live near Montjuic for a year. Will be interesting to see how that more tempo climb affects the race, and also the steeper descent before the finish line.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Ayuso seems like a complete selfish douchebag. I love it Well, perhaps it sounds a bit harsh but we need more of those rebellious riders who want results for themselves no matter what and at the cost of their teammates succes!

 

[groogster]

Good stage insight from Bora's Bernhard Eisel ... When asked if it was the pla he said that initially they intended to make an attack later but they knew that someone would attack sooner so when they saw Plapp and Carapaz going for it Higuita just took advantage joining the ride. He also said that after the first intermediate he knew that the break wouldn't get caught seing that UAE was strugling and especially Almeida who he saw really strugling with the cold.

 

[noob]

Good stage insight from Bora's Bernhard Eisel ... When asked if it was the pla he said that initially they intended to make an attack later but they knew that someone would attack sooner so when they saw Plapp and Carapaz going for it Higuita just took advantage joining the ride. He also said that after the first intermediate he knew that the break wouldn't get caught seing that UAE was strugling and especially Almeida who he saw really strugling with the cold.

It had completely passed me that he had become DS :O So used to seeing him commenting halfbad analysis on Eurosport :O