Vuelta 2012, Stage 8: Lleida - Andorra, Coll de la Gallina (174.7 kms)

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I am already nervous

I'm also nervous to see if Gesink and Mollema can hang on for dear life for that coveted top 10 finish

 

[LaFlorecita]

I'm also nervous to see if Gesink and Mollema can hang on for dear life for that coveted top 10 finish

At least you don't have high expectations

 

[Miburo]

I'm also nervous to see if Gesink and Mollema can hang on for dear life for that coveted top 10 finish

Hang on? In week 3 they should try and go for more, pressure the teams. Let one of them attack earlier.

Does top 10 really fascinate them? Sometimes taking risks benefits and if it doesn't work well ok then but it's better then going for place 8. And at least we get crazy stuff then.

Try and do a De Gendt orso.

 

[sartoris]

...unless he drops back to the team car for a raincoat

Or if Vino attacks

 

[Aguirre]

He will be tired in Asturias

How do you know that Piti likes low tempratures and rain?Any verification?

well, he played always well in basque country under wet conditions, at least in the past. I can remember him wet and fighting, even at the vuelta in the past.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Hang on? In week 3 they should try and go for more, pressure the teams. Let one of them attack earlier.

Does top 10 really fascinate them? Sometimes taking risks benefits and if it doesn't work well ok then but it's better then going for place 8. And at least we get crazy stuff then.

Try and do a De Gendt orso.

Taking risks is nothing for Rabobank, which is really like the bank. Safe. Don't go overboard. Boring

 

[sartoris]

This link is interesting: the last climb is where Purito trains when he's at home. He also tests himself there. He says if he has a good day he knows where to attack. I'm looking forward to it !

http://www.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte/2012/08/24/ciclismo/1345827072.html

Text in Spanish - sorry.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

This link is interesting: the last climb is where Purito trains when he's at home. He also tests himself there. He says if he has a good day he knows where to attack. I'm looking forward to it !

http://www.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte/2012/08/24/ciclismo/1345827072.html

Text in Spanish - sorry.

By now, I've read this article 5 times. And the translation by cyclingnews members 5 times.

 

[theyoungest]

Taking risks is nothing for Rabobank, which is really like the bank. Safe. Don't go overboard. Boring

Or maybe they just aren't good enough.

And no one will give Gesink a 5 minute advantage, like De Gendt. No matter how much he sucks right now, he's still somewhat of a big name.

 

[search]

I'm also nervous to see if Gesink and Mollema can hang on for dear life for that coveted top 10 finish

all of you will have time to calm down when they enter the spectacular brand-new 3km tunnel in Andorra

 

[Miburo]

Taking risks is nothing for Rabobank, which is really like the bank. Safe. Don't go overboard. Boring

Pfff, such a shame. Alright then it will be hanging on and with the first push they'll drop and try coming back when the big guys are slowing down.

And again, again, again,...

Damn Gesink had so much potential.

I hope it'll ever rise up but I think he should just take a risk one time and try and go for it otherwise he falls down anyways on the road.

Not much to lose.

 

[Armchaircyclist]

My fear on this stage is that the sky train will destroy everything already on the penultimate climb. A perfect long and not too steep climb for the diesel-train.
Of course I hope it will not happen, and would love to see Contador or Rodriguez just flying away from Froome on the last climb.

Anyway, looks like a great finish, crossing fingers that it will live up to expectations.

 

[Miburo]

Kinda of a shame that Nibali isn't here with that descent.

Thinking about it, the only thing we need for action is Contador and Nibali.

A few climbs. Contador drops him in the climbs and Nibali drops him in the descents. Pretty fun lol

They both have a great mentality, don't talk much but have the heart of a champion. Always go for it, nothing to lose, always for the win. I love it

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

A perfect long and not too steep climb for the diesel-train.

If you look at the profile though it shows a bit of flat in between two steeper sections of the penultimate climb, so my guess is, it's actually steep, but very irregular with a bit of flat in the middle, which would make it unsuited for the Sky train. Though obviously with Porte, Henao and Uran they will still do significant damage if they want to.

 

[Dr.Sahl]

Froome 0
Valverde +35
Joaquim +58
Contador +2.58 (he will crash or something)

Should be a fun stage if you wanna see Froome crush the others

 

[LaFlorecita]

Froome 0
Valverde +35
Joaquim +58
Contador +2.58 (he will crash or something)

Should be a fun stage if you wanna see Froome crush the others

Funny that you just put Alberto at almost 3 minutes and then felt the need to make up an excuse

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Why has the OP insulted the Vuelta profiles, then posted a profile which is not the race route, without any comment.

 

[Pharazon]

this stage has contador all over it for me

 

[Miburo]

Still no break.

 

[roundabout]

My fear on this stage is that the sky train will destroy everything already on the penultimate climb. A perfect long and not too steep climb for the diesel-train.
Of course I hope it will not happen, and would love to see Contador or Rodriguez just flying away from Froome on the last climb.

Anyway, looks like a great finish, crossing fingers that it will live up to expectations.

Penultimate climb

http://cyclingcols.com/profiles/ComellaN.gif

Before it is just a drag up the valley

 

[LaFlorecita]

this stage has contador all over it for me

It would have for me too if it wasn't for stage 6.

 

[cineteq]

https://twitter.com/sergi_lopezegea/status/204636462656917504
The twitter account is from the sports editor of El Periodico in Barcelona

That says it all, thanks for posting it. If Purito is to put a long-range (for him) attack is going to be here, his home turf. He just need to have good sensations and be brave enough!

i've been far away for some days but it looks like i was just getting back in time to see grande bisonte smashing everyone today i hope he can limit his losses at least

froome is an obvious choice for this stage and i expect a serious gap to alberto.but he will be stronger in the second week

It's uncanny, race after race, to see the riders you worship, welcome back

I'm also nervous to see if Gesink and Mollema can hang on for dear life for that coveted top 10 finish

This is going to be painful to watch.

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Looks like the break (when it eventually forms) has a good chance of staying away today.

 

[Miburo]

No one is getting away. Such a shame we can't see it.

Saxo just pulled a group of 25 riders back.

 

[cineteq]

Looks like the break (when it eventually forms) has a good chance of staying away today.

Too much at stake today. Average speed, 1st hour, 53Km/h.