Vuelta 2012, Stage 15: La Robla > Lagos de Covadonga (186,5 kms)

[trevim]

I wonder where Alberto is gonna attack..

According to Pedro Delgado, the "right place" to attack is after la Huesera because everybody is usually on the limit. We'll see...

 

[icefire]

According to Pedro Delgado, the "right place" to attack is after la Huesera because everybody is usually on the limit. We'll see...

...more often than not attackers are also on the limit, don't make a gap before the first descent and the chasers get a breath to keep on.

 

[Asturiano]

"Los Lagos de Covadonga" is a classic, part of the history of cycling history. One of the most beautiful landscape from Europe.

Hinault had real problems with this climb, for him it was similar to "Alpe d'Huez" and it is still a really hard climb but when Angliru came along another start was born and "los Lagos" started to lose a bit of fame.

Anyway, people love it and I think it can increase the interest of this Vuelta. A breakaway can get at the top but I have to admit this climb is better for Rodriguez than AC.

"La huesera" is the hardest part of the climb but if I was Contador I didn't wait until this part of the climb to attack.

 

[Lexman]

saxo should be wiser and let the break go, bonus seconds away for Purito if he breaks loose like today

then try distance Purito, if it fails Purito can't grab the bonus seconds anymore in a sprint

 

[El Pistolero]

I actually think Contador can put some time into everyone else on the "easier" parts of the climbs. He's good at every mountain type finish, but I don't think he's at his best at the steepest parts. Remember Arcalis, Verbier and Etna? Those are his best performances on mountains in my opinion. Ok, and Plateau de Beille.

 

[Miburo]

I actually think Contador can put some time into everyone else on the "easier" parts of the climbs. He's good at every mountain type finish, but I don't think he's at his best at the steepest parts. Remember Arcalis, Verbier and Etna? Those are his best performances on mountains in my opinion. Ok, and Plateau de Beille.

What about angliru and the mountain stage in the giro that rujano won?

But still I agree, I feel Contador is at his best in the 6 % parts. He can really fly on those parts.

 

[Descender]

Obviously we'll see lots of attacks on Mirador del Fito eh Descender

I doubt it, since there is way too much flat between it and the final climb.

 

[rantanplan]

All about Lagos de Covadonga Stage, final climb profile, route, retro videos in ...

http://www.revistadesdelacuneta.com/tengopagina.php?page=v12et15

 

[Cimber]

According to Pedro Delgado, the "right place" to attack is after la Huesera because everybody is usually on the limit. We'll see...

Well imo that would be a good spot to attack JRod cos if u w8 to the last KMs he will close the gap in a long sprint. If u force him to sprint at 6-7 kms to go he might blow up (or he wont try the sprint at all). But but but I doubt Berti has the stamina for an early attack yet. He is still not 100%.

 

[Cimber]

What about angliru and the mountain stage in the giro that rujano won?

But still I agree, I feel Contador is at his best in the 6 % parts. He can really fly on those parts.

Ye was thinking the same. If its too steep purito can better defend himself.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Ye was thinking the same. If its too steep purito can better defend himself.

Yeah that's why I'm concerned about Cuitu Negru and Bola del Mundo.

 

[Cimber]

Yeah that's why I'm concerned about Cuitu Negru and Bola del Mundo.

Belo del Mundo goes beyong 2200 meter altitude though which might be an advange for Berti over JRod. But a typical Tour de France alp climb would be best for him

 

[roundabout]

10km 4% average climb after 13.5km of flat in a TT.

Contador gained 15 seconds.

Rodriguez won't be easily gapped.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Belo del Mundo goes beyong 2200 meter altitude though which might be an advange for Berti over JRod. But a typical Tour de France alp climb would be best for him

Yes lol

 

[LaFlorecita]

10km 4% average climb after 13.5km of flat in a TT.

Contador gained 15 seconds.

Rodriguez won't be easily gapped.

Racing individually is very different.

 

[Cimber]

10km 4% average climb after 13.5km of flat in a TT.

Contador gained 15 seconds.

Rodriguez won't be easily gapped.

Nope but u need to add to the equation that Berti had gone to hard on the flat (thats where he made most of his gap) and paid for the the rest of the way. Purito on the other hand wisely saved some juice for the climb

 

[roundabout]

Racing individually is very different.

It's a sign that Contador won't fly away.

 

[roundabout]

Nope but u need to add to the equation that Berti had gone to hard on the flat (thats where he made most of his gap) and paid for the the rest of the way. Purito on the other hand wisely saved some juice for the climb

Rodriguez has sufficient power and sufficient stamina.

Contador won't find it easy to keep a big enough gap into the last km.

 

[Cimber]

It's a sign that Contador won't fly away.

Rodriguez has sufficient power and sufficient stamina.

Contador won't find it easy to keep a big enough gap into the last km.

Ye Berti is not 100%. He lacks stamina. The real question is if will hit 100% before the end of the race. I dont think so.

The problem is not that he cant gap Purito. Cos he has done that several times. The problem is that he cant sustain his pace (which he normally can)

That said I do think high altitude (stage 20) might favor Berti slightly.

 

[LaFlorecita]

It's a sign that Contador won't fly away.

Again racing individually is very different, + what Cimber said.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Ye Berti is not 100%. He lacks stamina. The real question is if will hit 100% before the end of the race. I dont think so.

I think it's highly unlikely.

 

[roundabout]

Again racing individually is very different, + what Cimber said.

It's a good sign of form.

 

[Cimber]

It's a good sign of form.

Indeed. Its also a sign of lack of form on Berti's part. Oh and its also a sign of cleverness and coolness that u dare save energy like Purito did. He has ridden quite cleverly in this race so far.

But u cant compare a cat 3 to a big mountain stage where the pace is high all day. But Purito showed that he can manage that to perfection today. He will be very hard to beat. Only way that will happen is if Berti finds his stamina and is able to attack earlier and keep the pace (or some bad weather maybe). I dont think Berti will find is peak in this Vuelta though. A year without racing takes it toll after all.

 

[LaFlorecita]

It's a good sign of form.

What, did you expect Alberto to gain 1 minute? More even?

 

[LaFlorecita]

Indeed. Its also a sign of lack of form on Berti's part. Oh and its also a sign of cleverness and coolness that u dare save energy like Purito did. He has ridden quite cleverly in this race so far.

I think that even if Alberto were on top form the difference would've been minimal, 20-30 seconds.