Vuelta 2017, Stage 5: Benicassin-Ermita Santa Lucia,175.7 km

[Laplaz]

Re: Re:

For Nibali it would be good if the break could stay clear, for Froome and Chaves of course not.

Just curious -- why do you think that? My read is that a breakaway up the road would be good or neutral for Froome/Chavez.

Not sure how it would affect their tactics, as they are racing amongst themselves either way. The only thing I can see is that teams with a rider in the break don't have to work as hard, but I can't imagine Sky would let Bahrain or Orica get in the break.

No bonus seconds for GC guys if break stays away. That would be the benefit for Nibs.

This. Thanks.

 

[Krokro]

Re: Re:

Julian Alaphilippe (Quick Step), Marc Soler (Movistar Team), Davide Villella (Cannondale-Drapac), Marco Haller (Katusha-Alpecin), Jérémy Maison (FDJ), Merhawi Kudus (Dimension Data), Lluis Mas (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA), Michel Kreder (Aqua Blue Sport) and Jetse Bol (Manzana-Postobón)

Edit: 20" ahead on a second group of 7 riders. 1'10" on the bunch. Nice names on it, not sure they will have the permission of the bunch.

Bol seems to be the highest in GC from that group close to 5 minutes back. I don't think Sky is too bothered about these names. Let's see who is on that other group though.

Yeah agreed, but still some teammates of the main contenders bar Orica and Sky. Lutsenko, Gougeard and Agnoli joined alongside with R. Fernandez and Mohoric. They are now 16 in the breakaway with Mamykin doing a Karsten Kroon.

 

[bambino]

Re: Re:

Julian Alaphilippe (Quick Step), Marc Soler (Movistar Team), Davide Villella (Cannondale-Drapac), Marco Haller (Katusha-Alpecin), Jérémy Maison (FDJ), Merhawi Kudus (Dimension Data), Lluis Mas (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA), Michel Kreder (Aqua Blue Sport) and Jetse Bol (Manzana-Postobón)

Edit: 20" ahead on a second group of 7 riders. 1'10" on the bunch. Nice names on it, not sure they will have the permission of the bunch.

Bol seems to be the highest in GC from that group close to 5 minutes back. I don't think Sky is too bothered about these names. Let's see who is on that other group though.

Yeah agreed, but still some teammates of the main contenders bar Orica and Sky. Lutsenko, Gougeard and Agnoli joined alongside with R. Fernandez and Mohoric. They are now 16 in the breakaway with Mamykin doing a Karsten Kroon.

The only reason I can see of Sky (and Orica) to not let this go are the bonus seconds in the finish and intermediate sprint. They can quite easily let this break run in arrears of 3-5 min until pen-ultimate climb and from there on pick them up before final show.

The doms are not key today, at least not in final climb to finish. Too short and steep.

 

[Climbing]

Not sure Sky (maybe Orica as well) will allow this to go on with AG2R and TBM?
Probably doesn't matter though.

 

[Gigs_98]

Re: Vuelta 2017, Stage 5: Benicassin-Ermita Santa Lucia,175.

Froome vs Chaves ftw. Categorization is ridiculous, that climb is really serious and time gaps can be pretty big. Wouldn't be surprised if Nibali loses more than 20 seconds.

 

[Blanco]

Re:

I think that even post ban contador (until 2015) is better than valverde on muritos (muritos with 2-4 km at 15% or more, it is just to clarify). A pre ban contador was insane in this type of climbs. For me valverde is the best in climbs like we normally see in la doyenne

It's debatable. Contador was indeed better 2012-2014, and Valverde clearly better 2015-2017. It's obvious that Contador fade from 2015, but it is also true that Valverde from 2015 until July this year was the best Valverde we've ever seen. Both were/are top class on short steep walls.

 

[Robert5091]

Re: Vuelta 2017, Stage 5: Benicassin-Ermita Santa Lucia,175.

I'll think we'll find out today who really has a "stomach bug". Watch out for riders eating in the last 10km.

 

[Inquitus]

Re: Vuelta 2017, Stage 5: Benicassin-Ermita Santa Lucia,175.

Froome vs Chaves ftw. Categorization is ridiculous, that climb is really serious and time gaps can be pretty big. Wouldn't be surprised if Nibali loses more than 20 seconds.

I'd agree with this assessment, I think its a Froome Chavez climb, hard, and too long for the likes of an Allaphillipe.

 

[hfer07]

Re: Vuelta 2017, Stage 5: Benicassin-Ermita Santa Lucia,175.

apart from Froome,Chavito & Bardet I'd add Aru & Alaphilippe -perhaps Pozzo.

a very tricky finish indeed

 

[bambino]

Re: Vuelta 2017, Stage 5: Benicassin-Ermita Santa Lucia,175.

Froome vs Chaves ftw. Categorization is ridiculous, that climb is really serious and time gaps can be pretty big. Wouldn't be surprised if Nibali loses more than 20 seconds.

I'd agree with this assessment, I think its a Froome Chavez climb, hard, and too long for the likes of an Allaphillipe.

I'm still not conviced this end suits Froome, but with that guy you'll never know. I don't remember him being very good when the gradients hits close to 20% mark in punchy climbs, as most recently shown in Stage 12 in Tour to Peyragudes.

 

[Climbing]

Re: Vuelta 2017, Stage 5: Benicassin-Ermita Santa Lucia,175.

Froome vs Chaves ftw. Categorization is ridiculous, that climb is really serious and time gaps can be pretty big. Wouldn't be surprised if Nibali loses more than 20 seconds.

I'd agree with this assessment, I think its a Froome Chavez climb, hard, and too long for the likes of an Allaphillipe.

I'm still not conviced this end suits Froome, but with that guy you'll never know. I don't remember him being very good when the gradients hits close to 20% mark in punchy climbs, as most recently shown in Stage 12 in Tour to Peyragudes.

I agree with this, but I suppose when he’s in top form everything suits him…

 

[bambino]

Re: Vuelta 2017, Stage 5: Benicassin-Ermita Santa Lucia,175.

Froome vs Chaves ftw. Categorization is ridiculous, that climb is really serious and time gaps can be pretty big. Wouldn't be surprised if Nibali loses more than 20 seconds.

I'd agree with this assessment, I think its a Froome Chavez climb, hard, and too long for the likes of an Allaphillipe.

I'm still not conviced this end suits Froome, but with that guy you'll never know. I don't remember him being very good when the gradients hits close to 20% mark in punchy climbs, as most recently shown in Stage 12 in Tour to Peyragudes.

I agree with this, but I suppose when he’s in top form everything suits him…

Indeed - thus I added the "you'll never know" piece

 

[amih77]

Re: Vuelta 2017, Stage 5: Benicassin-Ermita Santa Lucia,175.

I'm still not conviced this end suits Froome, but with that guy you'll never know. I don't remember him being very good when the gradients hits close to 20% mark in punchy climbs, as most recently shown in Stage 12 in Tour to Peyragudes.

Peña Cabarga 2011

 

[bambino]

Re: Vuelta 2017, Stage 5: Benicassin-Ermita Santa Lucia,175.

I'm still not conviced this end suits Froome, but with that guy you'll never know. I don't remember him being very good when the gradients hits close to 20% mark in punchy climbs, as most recently shown in Stage 12 in Tour to Peyragudes.

Peña Cabarga 2011

Ok, if you go that far, I guess also Nibali can be declared as specialist of such finishes

+ Pena Cabarga is 6km long, which is quite different than 3,5km and is mostly Froome's al-a-carte with 8-13% gradients. The 16-20% section is only about 300m long. Not comparable, more close to Stage 3 last climb this year excluding the short steep section.

 

[sir fly]

Just learned that no one actually knows the final climb (haven't ridden it), so the GC teams might not be that determined to bring the breakaway back.

 

[Bolder]

Re: Re:

For Nibali it would be good if the break could stay clear, for Froome and Chaves of course not.

Just curious -- why do you think that? My read is that a breakaway up the road would be good or neutral for Froome/Chavez.

Not sure how it would affect their tactics, as they are racing amongst themselves either way. The only thing I can see is that teams with a rider in the break don't have to work as hard, but I can't imagine Sky would let Bahrain or Orica get in the break.

No bonus seconds for GC guys if break stays away. That would be the benefit for Nibs.

This. Thanks.

Just coming back to watch the stage. That makes sense. Looks like Sky are on the same page at this point, keeping the break manageable and will look to launch Froome at the end to maybe get the win plus bonus.

 

[Robert5091]

Seems like they've gone out with revised/correct last climb details (Spanish language not one of mine though!)
http://racecenter.lavuelta.es/#/stageprofile

 

[Keram]

If break stays clear I hope for Julian. If they will reel it back I hope for Chavito or Bananito's big comeback as a professional cyclist after those wasted years. I know it is near impossible but man can dream

 

[HelloDolly]

Allaphillipe has this if break stays away

But maybe Froome wants more bonus seconds ...he seems to value them very highly..certainly going for them left right and centre ...One might think he is scared of fading later in the race

Froome,Pozzovivo, Poels, Woods, Aru, Bardet & Chaves could all win today ....hard to know

 

[Finn84]

Echelon with de la Cruz in the wrong group?

 

[rick james]

he should get back on

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Sky bad style
Tut tut
to push on with De La Cruz
off the back

 

[rick james]

Re:

Sky bad style
Tut tut
to push on with De La Cruz
off the back

trolling?

 

[Vasilis]

Re:

Sky bad style
Tut tut
to push on with De La Cruz
off the back

And he signed for them for next year
I don't think they're riding against him though.

 

[rick james]

attacks from the breakaway