Volta Ciclista a Catalunya 2022 (March 21-27)

[Samu Cuenca]

Who took the first bonus seconds?

Groves, Laas and Scotson.

 

[SafeBet]

Guys why did Wout Peols abandoned the race??

Stomach problems.

 

[Netserk]

They are nearing the circuit. I don't expect a change in the bunch on the first lap, but after that it's time for aggression.

Reposting @Devil's Elbow's profile of the circuit:

 

[Faserr]

Soler taking a ride with the car.

 

[groogster]

If UAE want to go for it they have to try as soon as in the 2nd lap of the circuit. Just curious to see the Almeida/Ayuso dynamic there

 

[Netserk]

Did @Bavarianrider ever praise all the highways they race on in Spain? Is the tarmac good?

 

[CHGJ2000]

Its very fresh and very low altitude. Under 1000m I dont think its that extreme

Well from a pure numbers perspective it likely won't be beaten this year, so it is somewhat extreme. Obviously context matters hugely and 6.6 w/kg for 24:16 after 850 kj is a lot different to after 3000 kj, but by any metric it's an extremely good performance. It's imo a marginally better performance than what Bernal did in the 2018 Romandie MTT, as the start even before the climb was very active.

Also even at that altitude there is a somewhat significant effect. 6.6 w/kg on that climb is equivalent to ~6.75 w/kg on a theoretical constantly at sea level effort.

 

[Salvarani]

Soler taking a ride with the car.

Discussing yesterdays tactics. He cant let it go.

 

[RedheadDane]

Discussing yesterdays tactics. He cant let it go.

The tactics, or the car?

 

[Netserk]

They are on the circuit now. Gap is down to 38''.

 

[Netserk]

Bora taking over from Uno-X.

 

[noob]

The tactics, or the car?

"solerism" (Horner expression since yesterday seems on point)

 

[RedheadDane]

I just realised that Meintjes is in the break...

 

[Netserk]

Kruijswijk and Pacher with a small gap to the rest of the break.

 

[Red Rick]

Well from a pure numbers perspective it likely won't be beaten this year, so it is somewhat extreme. Obviously context matters hugely and 6.6 w/kg for 24:16 after 850 kj is a lot different to after 3000 kj, but by any metric it's an extremely good performance. It's imo a marginally better performance than what Bernal did in the 2018 Romandie MTT, as the start even before the climb was very active.

Also even at that altitude there is a somewhat significant effect. 6.6 w/kg on that climb is equivalent to ~6.75 w/kg on a theoretical constantly at sea level effort.

Its roughly equivalent to something like Moncalvillo 2020 or Alpe di Mera 2021.

 

[Netserk]

UAE now taking over on the second lap.

 

[RedheadDane]

I could be wrong, but I don't think Michael Stærke of TV2 Denmark is pronouncing Pacher's name correctly...

 

[Netserk]

Bennett
Ayuso
Higuita
Carapaz

Is the order in the bunch.

 

[AlfaLum]

Bennett was gone quite fast.
Hindley is a bit tucked away though, not sure if he has the legs to be of much help to Higuita.

 

[Netserk]

Kruijswijk, Pacher
Teuns
Peloton led by Soler (UAE)

 

[Ilmaestro99]

Surely Carapaz and Almida have to attack

 

[Ilmaestro99]

I guess carpaz only has Rodriguez and Castrovejo though

 

[Salvarani]

Surely Carapaz and Almida have to attack

They better before Ayuso goes

 

[Netserk]

Good counter attack including Bennett. Uno-X leads the bunch (now the pace has dropped), not that many helpers left.

Soler with a mechanical. Cofidis attacking the bunch.

 

[Netserk]

So Martin will probably try to bridge on the climb in a bit.

Cofidis caught the chase group at the bottom.