Vuelta 2012, Stage 9 - Andorra > Barcelona 194,0 km

[DominicDecoco]

Lovely finish to the stage. Could get quite interesting.

 

[DominicDecoco]

Anyone who got further details on the 3' cat climb? Difficult enough for the GC-contenders to try something?

 

[Cimber]

Breschel og even valverde if they make the selection hard enough on that cat.3

 

[DominicDecoco]

Ouh, this would be candy for a Matti in top shape. Sadly, I don't think he is.

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

One of Lotto's goals this year was to win a stage in all 3 GT's. Meersman will complete that goal here.

 

[burning]

Will Contador attack like in Giro 2011?

 

[Afrank]

Will Contador attack like in Giro 2011?

Too risky, he didn't have Sky to deal with in that Giro.

 

[will10]

So this is the Hushovd stage from 2009, plus Montjuic as a bonus?

Degankolb for a 4th then.

 

[roundabout]

Yeah, Meersman.

Now he won't win

 

[jsem94]

Not steep enough to do real damage. Degenkolb vs Meersman vs possibly Valverde for bonus seconds.

 

[nogav1ca]

So this is the Hushovd stage from 2009, plus Montjuic as a bonus?

http://www.steephill.tv/2009/tour-de-france/previews-results/stage-06/ (you can zoom in on map)
http://inrng.com/medias/vuelta/vueltastage9.jpg

Finish seems to be different. Comparing these two maps, it looks like this year's stage finishes before all those last curves from 2009 (these curves are just before 5 km to go mark).

 

[jens_attacks]

valverde gets his third stage win

 

[SafeBet]

Cunego in the break and ftw.

 

[search]

http://www.steephill.tv/2009/tour-de-france/previews-results/stage-06/ (you can zoom in on map)
http://inrng.com/medias/vuelta/vueltastage9.jpg

Finish seems to be different. Comparing these two maps, it looks like this year's stage finishes before all those last curves from 2009 (these curves are just before 5 km to go mark).

I think steephill got it wrong, in the videos from 2009 you can see the race finishing in a left-hand bend, looks like the finish straight this year is exactly the same like in the Tour. They "just" didn't do the Montjuic in 2009.

 

[manafana]

meersman is one that came to mind when i sawe the finish and seems to have enough form to fulfil his chance too, davis should also be in with his chance.

 

[The Hitch]

If purito survives.this easy stage in his homeland, he will create history by becoming the person to.have worn the.red jersey.most ever.

Just.in time before he.loses it.

 

[Panda Claws]

When is the next mountain stage/itt?

 

[Forunculo]

When is the next mountain stage/itt?

29 August ITT

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

...just read the homepage interview with Valverde.

From where comes the fear of Gesink from Valverde? His memory of 2009? Weird. Even Valverde should know this is not the same rider and he's basically no threat. But whatever

 

[cineteq]

...just read the homepage interview with Valverde.

From where comes the fear of Gesink from Valverde? His memory of 2009? Weird. Even Valverde should know this is not the same rider and he's basically no threat. But whatever

Gesink is the only guy, other than the big four, who can podium. Main reason, I think he's peaking at the right time.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Gesink is the only guy, other than the big four, who can podium. Main reason, I think he's peaking at the right time.

He's already 50 seconds off 4th place. Ofcourse you are right one or more of the 'top 4' could fade away because of fatigue (Froome), inconsistency (Rodriguez, Valverde) or lack of rythm (Contador). But I don't see it happening

 

[search]

He's already 50 seconds off 4th place. Ofcourse you are right one or more of the 'top 4' could fade away because of fatigue (Froome), inconsistency (Rodriguez, Valverde) or lack of rythm (Contador). But I don't see it happening

really? I think more or less nothing has happened so far, gaps are still small and it's ~one week to go till the decisive stages are on the table. If Gesink and Antón keep on building up shape (while Valverde and Froome might begin to struggle) I still see both of them as a threat for a podium finish in Madrid

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Meh. I don't believe it, the first 4 are so superior atm... yeah it's only short climbs so far. But...

As for Anton, he did much better on such climbs in the past. He'll start sucking again on tempo climbs. Only on very steep climbs like this his awful form doesn't seem to matter and his natural talent wins over. Like Arnout explained in the other thread

 

[Elminutobueno]

One of Lotto's goals this year was to win a stage in all 3 GT's. Meersman will complete that goal here.

That's just what I was thinking. In fact, I have selected him for a Vuelta fantasy game. I also have Viviani, Breschel and Valverde in my team, but I hope this one is for Meersman.

 

[Panda Claws]

29 August ITT

Thank you.