Volta Ciclista a Catalunya 2025, March 24-30

[tobydawq]

I honestly still think it's an easy climb. Yes, not punchy-sprinter-type easy, - I got that wrong - but one where a bigger group can arrive together, if the pace isn't too high.

Obviously, the pace was high in the end though - whatever UAE, Ineos and Quickstep were thinking. They all paid for it in the end, and it was obvious from the start that it comes with bigger chances to lose than to win.

Well, that's true for any climb.

 

[Netserk]

Rogla's stage sum is 16 spots lower than Ayuso's, so if he is alert tomorrow, that's worth ½ a second.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Cool choo-choo they've shown, and of course, stunning mountain cliffs! (Belated mandatory scenery comment.)

 

[Brullnux]

There were riders who thought it was gonna be 30 guys in the end too. The difference is that people thought it was not gonna be raced hard. A gradual climb of 8.8km at 6.8% is not that hard. But they did race it hard. No one said there couldn't be gaps if it was raced hard.

But even with 30 riders at the end you don't get really get climby sprinters unless they've had a mad one. Take Montevergine di Mercogliano, an easier climb than this which comes after a flat stage. Usually ends with 30 or so, and at a stretch someone like peak Rebellin is there. Not like, Kaden Groves.

 

[Samamba]

There's gonna be a lot of wind between 15.00 and 17.00 tomorrow, it will be very nervous, and I expect some echelon action cause there are some non sheltered roads.

 

[search]

Well, that's true for any climb.

yes, but today there was good reason for a slow pace, as only Bora could benefit from a selective stage.

 

[kingjr]

What? I definitely don't see that.

If anything, it's Ayuso who moves a little towards the middle.

 

[Samamba]

But even with 30 riders at the end you don't get really get climby sprinters unless they've had a mad one. Take Montevergine di Mercogliano, an easier climb than this which comes after a flat stage. Usually ends with 30 or so, and at a stretch someone like peak Rebellin is there. Not like, Kaden Groves.

Sure, but I don't even know if Search said that Brennan was gonna win. He asked a question if it was possible. No it wasn't. I would say peak Matthews could and that's what people are comparing Brennan too.

Anyways I think that's even besides the point. No idea why we need to take the piss out of someones take after a race. It so easy to do and it happens way to often here. As if Toby doesn't have bad takes from time to time.

 

[tobydawq]

Sure, but I don't even know if Search said that Brennan was gonna win. He asked a question if it was possible. No it wasn't. I would say peak Matthews could and that's what people are comparing Brennan too.

Anyways I think that's even besides the point. No idea why we need to take the piss out of someones take after a race. It so easy to do and it happens way to often here. As if Toby doesn't have bad takes from time to time.

He definitely doesn't say or ask whether a sprinter can win on a 10 km 7% MTF.

And it wasn't meant personally against the poster who asked the question because someone else answered in the affirmative, which I just found completely hilarious. Saying that Matthews or Sagan would have had a chance here in this field is equally ludicrous.

Also, even if there had been 30 riders, Brennan would not be one of them in this field. The reason so many people finished close yesterday is that the climbing field is really deep in Catalunya. There are probably 80 better climbers than Brennan in this field.

 

[Brullnux]

Sure, but I don't even know if Search said that Brennan was gonna win. He asked a question if it was possible. No it wasn't. I would say peak Matthews could and that's what people are comparing Brennan too.

Anyways I think that's even besides the point. No idea why we need to take the piss out of someones take after a race. It so easy to do and it happens way to often here. As if Toby doesn't have bad takes from time to time.

Sure, I still think people underestimated it even on paper/forgot that a rolling 180km day takes it out the legs. Not sure peak Matthews has ever even come close on a 9km/6.5% MTF or a stage like today's. I feel he won stages with 50-60 left, not 30. I was just confused was all.

 

[Sciatic]

With the legs he had in the third week of last year's Giro he could've won today, but nice to see he's on track for May.

He did the bulk of the work in the breakaway so I thought it impressive he still something left for the climb.

 

[Red Rick]

Sure, I still think people underestimated it even on paper/forgot that a rolling 180km day takes it out the legs. Not sure peak Matthews has ever even come close on a 9km/6.5% MTF or a stage like today's. I feel he won stages with 50-60 left, not 30. I was just confused was all.

Matthews won an easy GT MTF from the GC group. It had a massive pileup just before the bottom so they didn't relaly try to drop him.

 

[Sciatic]

I don't understand why riders flick their elbow immediately after a violent attack. Drop the pace gently for a few seconds, give your opponent a chance to catch his breath, they might be more inclined to take over.

I always laugh at that—it seems quite comical.

 

[Brullnux]

Matthews won an easy GT MTF from the GC group. It had a massive pileup just before the bottom so they didn't relaly try to drop him.

Montecassino is significantly easier than today, though. Completely flat stage going into it, too. Most of this climb was over 7% which is no gimme

 

[Red Rick]

Montecassino is significantly easier than today, though. Completely flat stage going into it, too. Most of this climb was over 7% which is no gimme

Oh I fully agree. To me this is the reference of Matthews winning an uphill finish on a climb of some length. Also 260km stage cause why not.

The fact that I saw several comments discussing this stage being a 30-40 man group sprint is bonkers to me.

 

[Sciatic]

Did I hear Richard Carapaz was up for this race ? What happened to him ?

EF domestiques are riding better than their top guys this year.

 

[Unchained]

Bernal lost more than 30"

He did crack a little but he read the Ganna playbook and kept the damage to a minimum. I am a fan and seeing his immediate comeback after...another injury is inspiring!! Seeing the way the guy fights has me routing for him!!

 

[Samamba]

The stretch between 20 and 10km to go will be extremely dangerous for echelons tomorrow. Completely open roads and around the time they will be there the wind is supposed to pick up significantly and the direction would be almost ideal. Last 10km would be (cross)headwind tho.

Also more cross tailwind sections earlier in the race but it's not sure if the wind will already be strong enough by then.

 

[Netserk]

Affini is not scheduled to race this week (next race is DDV), obviously he wouldn't have been much use today but that's definitely the kind of rider who can lend Brennan a hand in the actual sprints.

Affini riding E3 has been confirmed. The team is quite stretched thin on the cobbles front, so I don't think it ever made sense to take one of those riders to Catalunya.

 

[Samamba]

100km/u gusts on Saturday btw..., luckily they are a bit inlands then, but still hopefully no parcours changes for the queen stage

 

[QueenStagiaire]

100km/u gusts on Saturday btw..., luckily they are a bit inlands then, but still hopefully no parcours changes for the queen stage

It will also be relatively cold, so if some precipitation sneaks over the Pyrenees, it might snow on Pradell. With windchill, it will definitely feel really cold up there.

 

[Netserk]

The stretch between 20 and 10km to go will be extremely dangerous for echelons tomorrow. Completely open roads and around the time they will be there the wind is supposed to pick up significantly and the direction would be almost ideal. Last 10km would be (cross)headwind tho.

Also more cross tailwind sections earlier in the race but it's not sure if the wind will already be strong enough by then.

Already at 80 km from the finish. I hope for mayhem.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

So this time Rogla edges it! The race is as tight as it gets. It's reminiscent of 2023 edition (Rogla vs Remco duel).

 

[Lequack]

Some pics

https://twitter.com/x/status/1905322643005329698

View: https://x.com/RBH_ProCycling/status/1905322643005329698

 

[Samamba]

Already at 80 km from the finish. I hope for mayhem.

Yes but the question is if the wind will have picked up enough by then. It will definitely be mayhem at some point

Honestly basically already from 100km from the finish. I just can't see how this won't be absolute carnage. Ineos will try to set something up definitely, they need to and they have the team for it.