Vuelta 2011

[Descender]

If they finish at Orihuela-Costa, that stage cannot possibly have much bite.

Petrer is the logical FINISH of a stage where the Cati is climbed and descended, Petrer is the end of the (long and rather easy) descent.

 

[icefire]

Sierra Nevada confirmed as the finish of 4th stage:

http://www.finanzas.com/noticias/ec...dalucia-presenta-madrid-temporada-sierra.html


Let's see what choice of course they make for the last climb. Do expect something easier than 2009 for such an early stage.

Andalucía will host two stages in total:

http://www.laopiniondegranada.es/de...ra-final-etapa-vuelta-espana-2011/211730.html

The course in the OP had six stages in Andalucía, which confirms how unreliable it was.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Angry Lou is back! (allegedly)
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/508907/angliru-back-in-2011-tour-of-spain.html

 

[The Hitch]

Angry Lou is back! (allegedly)
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/508907/angliru-back-in-2011-tour-of-spain.html

Sounds good. Going to be a great stage as always.

Are they going to try to make it a stage 20 type thing after the success of the Bola del Mundo this year (they got good viewership and really good crowds for that), though might be a risk with Ventoux in mind.

Also big news that the Madrid stage is a tt. I prefer that to the crap sprint theyve had last few years. I was worried theyd make a habbit out of it.

 

[roundabout]

From all the reports and rumors of the route the stages preceding the Madrid TT will be in the Basque Country so no super climbs to cap things off.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

The Alto de Aia is very much a super climb. And while you may not get a big MTF, no stage in the Basque country is flat.

 

[roundabout]

Yes. But reports point to stages finishing in Vitoria and Bilbao so the route won't be extremely difficult.

 

[El Pistolero]

Angry Lou is back! (allegedly)
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/508907/angliru-back-in-2011-tour-of-spain.html

Oh, now I really want only a one year ban for Contador.

 

[The Hitch]

Oh, now I really want only a one year ban for Contador.

I dont really want much of a ban for Contador at all, but unless the Vuelta field improves drastically from last year, having him on the Angrilu will be like having Levi take on US domestic riders in Gilla.

 

[theyoungest]

I dont really want much of a ban for Contador at all, but unless the Vuelta field improves drastically from last year, having him on the Angrilu will be like having Levi take on US domestic riders in Gilla.

Last time on the Angliru, he won, but not by an extraterrestial margin. Leipheimer, since you mentioned him , finished only a minute back.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Yes. But reports point to stages finishing in Vitoria and Bilbao so the route won't be extremely difficult.

You can still have enough climbing to make it tough though, Urkiola and Anboto aren't a million miles from Bilbao, you could go from them to the Gorbea, you could find some not-totally-flat route from there to go up and around the Ganekogorta, and that would leave about 15km into Bilbao; if that's too much you could install a finishing circuit that went up and around to Egirleta Gana a couple of times.

 

[The Hitch]

Last time on the Angliru, he won, but not by an extraterrestial margin. Leipheimer, since you mentioned him , finished only a minute back.

Levis past it. Im talking about last year. - Nibali, Velits, Frank Schleck, Niko Roche.

Ok so Purito can cut it, Anton if hes still there (which according to you is about 50 50 ) and Mosquera if he doesnt get banned (what the hell is up with that anyway )

But against this field, Contador coming back from a years rest on top form will take big time in itts, and take time at will on any climb. It really would be like Levi in Gilla. Or like Andy Schleck doing l ettape de tour

 

[armstrong4ever]

Vuelta is decreasing every year. Declining television audiences, low interest from public and sponsors pulling out.

Perhaps Tour of California can replace it as USA TODAY has suggested? American cycling is booming. In 2011 there will be 16 (!) American UCI-registered teams, while Spain is going to have 8.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Angliru to be included in la vuelta next year! Awesome!

 

[Arnout]

Vuelta is decreasing every year. Declining television audiences, low interest from public and sponsors pulling out.

Perhaps Tour of California can replace it as USA TODAY has suggested? American cycling is booming. In 2011 there will be 16 (!) American UCI-registered teams, while Spain is going to have 8.

You didn't watch this year. Ratings were up and there was more public than ever.

But go ahead, organize your own GT and have fun. If it's better, more fun and everything it will beat the Vuelta anyhow. No need to destroy it to give another race a chance. A race that year after year failed to meet the high expectations.

We can as well organize a TT in California, same result.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Vuelta is decreasing every year. Declining television audiences, low interest from public and sponsors pulling out.

Perhaps Tour of California can replace it as USA TODAY has suggested? American cycling is booming. In 2011 there will be 16 (!) American UCI-registered teams, while Spain is going to have 8.

Nice try. Did you watch the 2010 Vuelta? Public interest was actually much higher than usual. Lots of people in places like Valdepenas de Jaén and Bola del Mundo. Lots.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Vuelta is decreasing every year. Declining television audiences, low interest from public and sponsors pulling out.

Perhaps Tour of California can replace it as USA TODAY has suggested? American cycling is booming. In 2011 there will be 16 (!) American UCI-registered teams, while Spain is going to have 8.

Keep up the good work.
We all need a good laugh from time to time.

 

[Ferminal]

Keep up the good work.
We all need a good laugh from time to time.

WonderLance > armstrong4ever, but it seems this person could possibly be serious!

 

[The Hitch]

Vuelta is decreasing every year. Declining television audiences, low interest from public and sponsors pulling out.

Perhaps Tour of California can replace it as USA TODAY has suggested? American cycling is booming. In 2011 there will be 16 (!) American UCI-registered teams, while Spain is going to have 8.

You are right.

No one cares about the Vuelta

Point being, the Vuelta had probably more fans standing roadside on the mountains for a glimps of the climbers, than the TOC had worldwide tv audience.

If there is going to be another gt, it has to be Vuelta a Colombia, in November, so that Tour de France riders can go for a 2nd gt, the way many go for the Giro Vuelta, and so that us fans will have an epic race to watch in November, rather than hopelessly searching these forums, for a glimps of actual cycling news,

 

[armstrong4ever]

Point being, the Vuelta had probably more fans standing roadside on the mountains for a glimps of the climbers, than the TOC had worldwide tv audience.

Paul Sherwen, a cycling expert:

"The Tour of California has drawn massive crowds," he says. "If you look at the roads in the Vuelta, there's very few people."

 

[The Hitch]

Paul Sherwen, a cycling expert:

"The Tour of California has drawn massive crowds," he says. "If you look at the roads in the Vuelta, there's very few people."

The UCI, cyclings governing body.

The Vuelta a Espana is one of cyclings Grand Tours. Next come the monuments. Next come the Classics and the PT races. Next come the lower tier races. THats where the TOC is.

Whos opinion is more important with regard to which will be a grand tour in the future? Paul sherwen or the UCI?

Ill let you ponder on that.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Paul Sherwen, a cycling expert:

"The Tour of California has drawn massive crowds," he says. "If you look at the roads in the Vuelta, there's very few people."

And who pays Sherwen, the broadcasters of the Tour of California, or the broadcasters of the Vuelta?

I suggest you watch the races rather than rely on hearsay.

Plus, it takes more than having fans to make the Tour of California a good race. The Vuelta is the weakest of the Grand Tours, and the least well-supported of them. But it is still far more popular than the Tour of California is.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Paul Sherwen, a cycling expert:

Another gem. Who said comedy is dead?

 

[The Hitch]

Paul Sherwen, a cycling expert:

"and here comes Sammuel Sanchez over the top of the madeline, hes a pretty bad descender and the group behind will probably catch him"

 

[Parrulo]

Paul Sherwen, a cycling expert:

"and here comes Sammuel Sanchez over the top of the madeline, hes a pretty bad descender and the group behind will probably catch him"

laugh of the day for me. really an expert