Vuelta 2017 stage 9: Orihuela - Cumbres del Sol, 174 km

[Robert5091]

Since the route goes along the coast, here's the weather forecast,
"A mix of clouds and sun early followed by cloudy skies this afternoon. High near 90F/32C. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph."

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/vuelta-a-espana-froome-calls-for-possible-alliance-with-contador/

There are ambushes like the one engineered on last year’s stage to Formigal. “I have to be really attentive to be sure that something like last year doesn’t happen again.”

Froome could end up blowing up his own team if they are going to chase down/ride at the front at 40 km plus every day. Bertie saying that Froome must attack, attack, attack is classic "mind f**"

 

[klintE]

Froome has no one to lose with
Not only today.

 

[Robert5091]

Breakaway to be caught on first climb, GC guys together on descent, Froome to go for sprint bonus seconds (14 km from finish) then whoever can wheel-suck and grind their way up the climb has a chance.

 

[bambino]

Once again the profile of the last climb (Cumbre del Sol) looks quite different in the first message of this thread compared to La Vuelta official. I.e they climb only to 415m and the middle section in La Vuelta official does not appear as steep as in the thread. Even average is quite different.

Anybody any idea which one is correct? Is there alternative route they are using?

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Ah the climb where a legend was born. Froome will now run over this climb for sure

 

[LaFlorecita]

I want Berto to pull a Dumo on Froome

Vamos grande Alberto!

 

[Valv.Piti]

Froome favourite, but Alberto not too far behind. Chaves has bad memories from this climb and Froome also might want to erase that 2015-ascent from his memory when he got beaten by a time trialist.

 

[Climber123]

Re:

Froome favourite, but Alberto not too far behind. Chaves has bad memories from this climb and Froome also might want to erase that 2015-ascent from his memory when he got beaten by a time trialist.

Dumoulin is a GT winner, much more than just a time trialist. If anything, he is pretty similar to Froome.

 

[Climber123]

If the break gets caught:
Froome for the win because he knows how to pace himself up the climb better than anyone else. Likely scenario
Contador can win if he restrain himself and not go for broke from the bottom of the climb. It will depend if he is thinking time gains or stage win.
Chaves, Woods and A.Yates outsiders for the win.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Re:

Froome favourite, but Alberto not too far behind. Chaves has bad memories from this climb and Froome also might want to erase that 2015-ascent from his memory when he got beaten by a time trialist.

Not that uncommon, a time triallist also outclimbed everyone bar his teammate during the 2012 Tour. :lol:

Hopefully the GC boys fight it out for the stage win today.

 

[Robert5091]

Cannondale riders will all be eager to get in the break to show their wares.

Edit - "The attackers have covered 45.9km in the first hour of racing." into a headwind too - sweaty!

 

[rick james]

Flecha doesn't believe Froome can hold form for the next 2 weeks

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

Flecha doesn't believe Froome can hold form for the next 2 weeks

Here's hoping - then again, he could be so far ahead by the end of the 2nd week that it doesn't matter how bad he is in the 3rd.

 

[Velolover2]

Re:

Flecha doesn't believe Froome can hold form for the next 2 weeks

Flecha is either stupid or is lying.

In the Vuelta, he usually gets better and better. Especially in the third week.

 

[ice&fire]

Re: Re:

Flecha doesn't believe Froome can hold form for the next 2 weeks

Flecha is either stupid or is lying.

In the Vuelta, he usually gets better and better. Especially in the third week.

That only happened in 2014 when he came out of crash+abandon in the Tour.

 

[rick james]

Re: Re:

Flecha doesn't believe Froome can hold form for the next 2 weeks

Flecha is either stupid or is lying.

In the Vuelta, he usually gets better and better. Especially in the third week.

Not this 3rd week after such an explosive start to this race I think

 

[rick james]

Nasty crash

 

[Tonton]

Hard to tell. Often Froome manages his lead week-3. Even at the Tour, with an ITT coming up, he was never in danger. He's in control. I don't see him losing this Vuelta.

 

[Brullnux]

Re: Re:

Flecha doesn't believe Froome can hold form for the next 2 weeks

Flecha is either stupid or is lying.

In the Vuelta, he usually gets better and better. Especially in the third week.

Quite an affirmation. The only year where he really improved a lot was 2014 when he missed the Tour. Last year he came in a lot more unprepared and so improved a bit throughout the race as he gained shape. This year has different circumstances, and he has started the Vuelta much better than ever before. It certainly isn't out of the question that Froome gets worse. It may not happen but it could.

 

[rick james]

Benidorm...Yes, Belly buster breakfasts all round

 

[Robert5091]

Sky must be glad to let Cannondale do the chasing today. Froome's planned for the TdF/Vuelta double all year so unless Flecha knows something ...

 

[Asturiano]

One of the reason because Chris loves Vuelta. British people love beaches, sunny days and places like Benidorm (they go there every summer). So, Chris feels there like being home with many British people over there and he doesn't need to go on holidays to Spain. He simply goes to Vuelta.

 

[rick james]

eh...he's from Kenya

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Re:

One of the reason because Chris loves Vuelta. British people love beaches, sunny days and places like Benidorm (they go there every summer). So, Chris feels there like being home with many British people over there and he doesn't need to go on holidays to Spain. He simply goes to Vuelta.

 

[MatParker117]

Re: Re:

One of the reason because Chris loves Vuelta. British people love beaches, sunny days and places like Benidorm (they go there every summer). So, Chris feels there like being home with many British people over there and he doesn't need to go on holidays to Spain. He simply goes to Vuelta.

Melanoma in a nutshell.