Vuelta 2012, Stage 20: La Faisanera Golf-Bola del Mundo (170,7 km)

[Hugo Koblet]

Looking forward to a long range attact from Purito. He's got nothing to lose.

He's got second place to win though. As much as I would love to see an attack from far out (and think he should do it) I very much doubt it will happen.

 

[No_Balls]

The Saxo-train will also control the happenings until the entrance to La Bola (as we saw they did even on those moderate climbs today) so it wont be much air to breath tomorrow for Valv and Purito. I guess Movistar will keep Purito out of contention from Valverde also so people will control people tomorrow.

 

[the asian]

Looking forward to a long range attact from Purito. He's got nothing to lose.

He definitely won't attempt one.
Bola should be too steep for Valverde.
So may be Bertie again or Anton.(btw have Euskatel won a stage at this years' Vuelta? Can't remember any.)

 

[Afrank]

He definitely won't attempt one.
Bola should be too steep for Valverde.
So may be Bertie again or Anton.(btw have Euskatel won a stage at this years' Vuelta? Can't remember any.)

They have not.

 

[Miburo]

alberto will entertain his people
i don't forget that purito said after the alberto's attack on hoz that looking at him climbing,he realized that he's gonna crack him on bola del mundo anyway
i saw the video,alberto went like a train uphill,he's getting stronger.
tomorrow,he will drop them all

you got a link to that vid?

 

[rantanplan]

EDIT: It seems like they don't do the last 200 meters, seeing the finishing heights on the two profiles.

Wheather is going to be the key

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Will be on the road so won't be able to watch velasco riding defensively and attack very late.

 

[Pulpstar]

All jerseys and 2nd place still up for grabs. Can't see either Valverde or Purito taking 1+ minute out of Contador - Purito's focus surely must be to get second.

One of Valverde or Purito will be dropped on the final climb I think (Not sure who), then Contador will attack and win the stage. Pretty sure Saxobank will send men into the break if one forms anyway so Katusha/Movistar will have to burn through their domestiques. This is Contador's home turf, and Purito is mentally defeated already, Valverde whilst looking strong - well no way will he put 1 minute+ into Contador.

 

[jflemaire]

you got a link to that vid?

There's this from a spectator and this from Unipublic.

 

[Jelantik]

It is Albertos home territory and he will have massive support on here so i bet he will try and please the fans. He is also hungry knowing no stages to go before Madrid so could afford trying to have a go. He has a huge advantage knowing he could relax letting Valv and/or Purito doing the work while he build up momentum before the big attack.

It will be another Alberto showdown. I am reasonably sure of that.

I kind of agree with that. Alberto is hard to beat when he is leading. (well accept on 2009 ParisNice - If I'm not mistaken). So he is wise enough not to answer every attack, otherwise Valverde and Purito can gank on him to attack endlessly.

On the other hand, valverde looked really strong. He was storming like a freight train and shaved alberto's lead to 6 seconds. So he might be planning somethin' somethin' Purito probably would like to return the favor as well to Alberto. But knowing alberto, he might want to put a stamp on his win.

 

[Red Rick]

Contador will be super motivated to win this one. He will attack on Bola del Mundo for sure. He can attack Valverde and Rodriguez knowing he won't lose two minutes and that those two will be watching each other more than anything else. I think he will drop them all and crown bola del mundo to Cima Contador

 

[ElChingon]

I just want to see Contador, Rodriguez, and Valverde attacking the living daylights out of each other for the stage win or GC or MTB points whatever but not letting a break go and sitting in.

Its the last MTF! FTW!

 

[icefire]

I just want to see Contador, Rodriguez, and Valverde attacking the living daylights out of each other for the stage win or GC or MTB points whatever but not letting a break go and sitting in.

Its the last MTF! FTW!

Shhhhhhh! There's the rumour that Unipublic is scouting for nasty ramps in Madrid for the finish next year

 

[Dedelou]

I just want to see Contador, Rodriguez, and Valverde attacking the living daylights out of each other for the stage win or GC or MTB points whatever but not letting a break go and sitting in.

Its the last MTF! FTW!

I too, hope to see a titan's battle between all the riders who animated this vuelta. Contador will do something, as it has been said by many , including him, this is his backyard and he knows the climb. I like it as well if the domestic who did so much for each of their leader, and in some case are as good as them, also have a go at it

 

[Descender]

Morcuera so,so, Navafría and Cotos no way

Morcuera isn't a first cat from that side either.

 

[iZnoGouD]

Contador will attack with 5 kg to go because no one expects him to do that and because he is a legend ofc

 

[No_Balls]

I kind of agree with that. Alberto is hard to beat when he is leading. (well accept on 2009 ParisNice - If I'm not mistaken). So he is wise enough not to answer every attack, otherwise Valverde and Purito can gank on him to attack endlessly.

Paris-Nice he got a hunger bonk. Wont happen tomorrow i tell you. If anybody is going to have it hard tomorrow it wont be AC.

On the other hand, valverde looked really strong. He was storming like a freight train and shaved alberto's lead to 6 seconds. So he might be planning somethin' somethin' Purito probably would like to return the favor as well to Alberto. But knowing alberto, he might want to put a stamp on his win.

Valverdes effort at Fuente De has been somewhat overrated lately. Yes, he did well but we will not now how he´d gone if he rode flat out the way Alberto did. Valverde was escorted by mostly his teammates during that stage (Quintana and then Beñat i think). Besides he has been mostly outridden on the steeper climbs this Vuelta.

 

[burning]

I'm pretty sure that he never lost his leaders jersey during Grand Tours?

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Paris-Nice he got a hunger bonk. Wont happen tomorrow i tell you. If anybody is going to have it hard tomorrow it wont be AC.



Valverdes effort at Fuente De has been somewhat overrated lately. Yes, he did well but we will not now how he´d gone if he rode flat out the way Alberto did. Valverde was escorted by mostly his teammates during that stage (Quintana and then Intxausti i think). Besides he has been mostly outridden on the steeper climbs this Vuelta.

i think....

 

[No_Balls]

i think....

Yes, i was about to change to Beñat there. I kinda mixed them up since he was in the same break together with Henao.

Damn, you were fast.

 

[icefire]

Morcuera isn't a first cat from that side either.

That's the side they're descending. It's shorter and steeper from Miraflores

 

[Falken]

Contador and Purito have been the strongest on steeper climb sections, and Purito has tooled Contador in the finishes so far. So logically Purito is the favorite for the stage, but question is how je is mentally after the setback, if he still has that extra motivation to chase back hard attacks from Contador, not so sure about that. So, Contador might be the man tomorrow after all.

 

[Asturiano]

Morcuera isn't a first cat from that side either.

You can compare this climb with San Lorenzo, another first cat according to unipublic. It will be funny.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Yes, i was about to change to Beñat there. I kinda mixed them up since he was in the same break together with Henao.

Damn, you were fast.

I am living on small mistakes like that, so I can fix it and rubb it in you face

 

[Descender]

You can compare this climb with San Lorenzo, another first cat according to unipublic. It will be funny.