Vuelta '20: Stage 1: Irún - Arrate. Eibar (10/20/2020)

[lenric]

Froome was carved at the 2011's Vuelta and might very well be buried at the 2020's Vuelta. That's prophetic, even if sad, as I really like his winning mentality.

 

[tobydawq]

Froome to be out of contention after this stage and go all in to help Carapaz. He may end up going in the break for a stage win at some point to prove to himself he still has it. Valverde should come nowhere near winning this Vuelta, top 10 as per usual for him. I'm gonna go for Pinot to prove that he can get another podium in a GT then he needs to get away from FDJ for a change. As for the win, just need to look at the Giro to see that it could be anyone..




But Valverde

Is your mother attending?

 

[Gigs_98]

This has Roglic written all over it. In any previous season I would have said Valverde but this season doesn't seem too kind to old men.

 

[repre]

Bagioli vs Gaudu vs Rogla. Froome to lose 10 min, his pants and contract with ISA in the process.

 

[sir fly]

Doubt there's gonna be carnage despite promising start.
Unforgiving closing cut, though.

 

[Tonton]

Pinot has done Arrate twice at Pais Vasco, he finished same time as Purito in '15 and '16. He may not be the winner, but he'll be close.

Roglic? Possibly. Not sure. If so, he'll be feeling the odor of a goat or a donkey breathing down his neck.

Froome is the question mark. Carapaz will be there, and a 30" difference will establish the pecking order.

 

[repre]

Pinot has done Arrate twice at Pais Vasco, he finished same time as Purito in '15 and '16. He may not be the winner, but he'll be close.

Roglic? Possibly. Not sure. If so, he'll be feeling the odor of a goat or a donkey breathing down his neck.

Froome is the question mark. Carapaz will be there, and a 30" difference will establish the pecking order.

Do you believe in Pinot's "i am riding for Gaudu" words? Sounds like a decoy for me

 

[Anderis]

Nope, but last time I wanted to make a silly prediction was Pogacar pulling a Lemond on the final Tour ITT. I didn't post anything and it happened.

So I'm not gonna hold back. It's 2020 after all.

I wanted to write "the obvious Simon Clarke's win is obvious" in the thread of the 2018 Vuelta stage he won but I decided not to in order to not give people a reason to mock EF for lack of wins. He won and I lost a chance to make a glorious prediction.

I did predict Bettiol's 2019 Flanders win, though.

 

[Koronin]

I'm hoping my boy has found his form and can pull of the stage win here. Mas just needs to not loose time.

 

[DanielSong39]

Wow, they don't pull any punches, a haymaker right off the bat

 

[hayneplane]

If Bagioli wins, SafeBet has made one of the most impressive predictions of the season! Is he really good enough for it to be possible already?

Well he beat an in form Roglic in a reduced group sprint earlier this season so it’s not that left field a call.

 

[movingtarget]

Froome supposed to be on domestique duties for Carapaz.. Interesting first stage !

 

[johnymax]

Well he beat an in form Roglic in a reduced group sprint earlier this season so it’s not that left field a call.

Yes but that was a sprint of 70 riders. He is fast but you need to be there to contest the sprint. On Arrate there will probably be 5 or maximum 10 riders battling for the win in the finale. I don't expect Bagioli to be among those riders.

Also more than a fast sprint, timing and knowing the road in the last km will be important for those who want to win. Usually the one who leads in the last couple of hundred meters, wins.

 

[Tonton]

Do you believe in Pinot's "i am riding for Gaudu" words? Sounds like a decoy for me

It was the plan before the crash. The GFdJ vid on their site today is about Tinopino bouncing back. But Gaudu will be given a shot. The problem is: Gaudu can lose three minutes to a real Rod or Dumo. Or Froome, the zombie that all predictions overlook. I'm one who thinks that Portal was buried with his suitcase, but I lived in '18, saw that, melted down, and resigned as a mod.

In the long run, Gaudu will deliver. Until he does track, builds an engine, he's no safe bet. PInot remains the guy.

Team composition has evolved, more punchers than rouleurs now. Thibaut and David are ticked off after the crash and a miserable TdF. I believe that they can use it for motivation, and Madiot, twice PR winner knows about cycling.

 

[gregrowlerson]

He obviously thinks of Bagioli. I don't think he can follow the best on the climb.

It's in the Bag....ioli?

 

[richwallone]

I don't see who's gonna beat Roglic here.

I'm only worried that it has been a long season for him to keep in top shape... And he was already at 100% at Dauphine... That's the only thing that's in the back of my mind... But he still be up there... Not sure though he wants to wear the jersey from stage 1...

My pick for this one: Carapaz.

 

[cellardoor]

This has Roglic written all over it.

Roglic is overrated

 

[movingtarget]

I'm only worried that it has been a long season for him to keep in top shape... And he was already at 100% at Dauphine... That's the only thing that's in the back of my mind... But he still be up there... Not sure though he wants to wear the jersey from stage 1...

My pick for this one: Carapaz.

TT advantage goes to Roglic but Carapaz should be up there.

 

[Leinster]

Wow, they don't pull any punches, a haymaker right off the bat

This was originally supposed to be stage 4 after 3 days in the Netherlands. Of course they'd want to get into some hills, this is the Vuelta, ffs.

 

[SKSemtex]

This one is for Purito.

 

[MrTea1976]

If the past few weeks tells me anything, EF or Ineos for the win!

 

[Duitama]

Very strong winds in the area today, and a bit of rain, although the forecast suggests it won't rain in the stages end. But wind gusts of about 80km/h can be expected.

 

[gregrowlerson]

This was originally supposed to be stage 4 after 3 days in the Netherlands. Of course they'd want to get into some hills, this is the Vuelta, ffs.

They should cancel the first three stages more often.

 

[memyselfandI]

Very strong winds in the area today, and a bit of rain, although the forecast suggests it won't rain in the stages end. But wind gusts of about 80km/h can be expected.

Froome taking of his rain jacket on top of the penultimate climb at the beginning of the downhill aaaaannnd...snap cracle pop goes the other leg.. Well really really let's hope not.

Indeed I could give up my almost unused shimano blue cleats for Froome going for some stages and GC podium. Win is a podium too, people!

 

[Red Rick]

Very strong winds in the area today, and a bit of rain, although the forecast suggests it won't rain in the stages end. But wind gusts of about 80km/h can be expected.

La WATa a España