Vuelta 2017, Stage 8 : Hellín / Xorret de Catí. 199,5km

[sir fly]

Fernando Escartín commentary

Mid-mountain, with an uphill finale. Stage with a classic Vuelta finale and a new test for the leaders. The last climb, with slopes of inclinations over 20%, will not make much of a difference to the general classification, but it will add up to the times already obtained in Andorra and in the Ermita de Santa Lucía.

Alto Xorret de Catí

Vuelta 1998
Vuelta 2010
Valencia 2016

 

[bob.a.feet]

Contador will win this bike race. Him and Froome will be the best, Nibali will be distanced on the climb but limit his losses on the descent.

 

[Kafviar]

Oh how I love the Vuelta. If only all GT's were like this. Not a boring day yet and this looks as if it's going to be awesome aswell.

 

[Robert5091]

Last 5 km - a 3 km descent to the finish.

So 190 km of little up and down, then a mad sprint up and over the last climb.

Froome hinted that he might be willing to ‘loan’ the leader’s jersey to a non-GC contender in the days to come http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/vue...edicts-fireworks-on-weekends-summit-finishes/

Sky train is out of steam, or mind games? But,

Asked if he needed to attack, something Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) said Froome should do given the narrowness of his advantage, Froome answered, “Anything could happen.”

Bertie trying to get Froome to show his hand :lol:

Would not be surprised if the breakaway get this, but Sunday's stage I think will be a GC fight.

 

[Amazinmets87]

Re:

Oh how I love the Vuelta. If only all GT's were like this. Not a boring day yet and this looks as if it's going to be awesome aswell.

Yea, fortunately the parcours of the Vuelta prevent Sky from sucking the life out of the race

 

[Cristobal Froome]

Hopefully we get some proper racing in today's stage.

Froome to get his first win of the race and take a stranglehold on el verde jersey.

 

[Jspear]

If Nibbes was in great shape I'd say him for the win, but I don't think he will stay with the big boys on the climb. Chaves for the win.

 

[Poursuivant]

Sky won't chase so breakaway for sure.

 

[benzwire]

Re:

Sky won't chase so breakaway for sure.

Nah, I think this stage will be won by one of the GC contenders.

 

[GraftPunk]

Contie, Contie, Contie!

 

[Velolover2]

Another murito for Woods. I really, really hope he can win the stage. He deserves a victory.

 

[yaco]

This is another breakaway day. Tomorrow could be a gc day.

 

[Tank Engine]

I think a breakaway will take this. Mas (or Majka whose definitely lining up to go stage hunting, but this might be too early).

Nibbles to lose some time again. Froome, Chaves and AC to be the best of the GC guys.

 

[The Barb]

Probable breakaway but incredibly unpredictable given the flat start. Fraile maybe?

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Methinks a break will win, but we will see GC action behind naturally.

 

[Pirazziattacks]

Love those Vuelta stage profiles :lol:
Apparently the descent after that first uncategorised climb is a cliff with a slight overhang.

 

[Red Rick]

Re:

Love those Vuelta stage profiles :lol:
Apparently the descent after that first uncategorised climb is a cliff with a slight overhang.

Danny McAskill for the win?


Anyway, things are simpler now. Alberto Contador will win this bike race.

 

[Anderis]

Michael Woods FTW.

 

[DNP-Old]

Barguil DSQ, by his own team.

 

[Kafviar]

Re:

Barguil DSQ, by his own team.

For what reason?

 

[DNP-Old]

Re: Re:

Barguil DSQ, by his own team.

For what reason?

Not helping Kelderman. :lol:

 

[HelloDolly]

Emm Barguil....

What was he hoping to achieve yesterday ....a stage win ?

Very slim chance of that

 

[LaFlorecita]

If it was an uphill finish, I'd say Alberto. Now, Froome in a sprint-à-deux.

 

[deValtos]

Oh you're not joking about Barguil, he did actually get kicked off the race. Not sure how I feel about that.

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

Barguil DSQ, by his own team.

For what reason?

Not helping Kelderman. :lol:

Schleck was better at this thing