Vuelta 2018 Stage 2:Marbella – Caminito del Rey 163.5 km

[Amazinmets87]

1km at 6.4 rules out versatile sprinters such as Viviani

 

[Koronin]

Sagan said after today's ITT that he's not at 100% and still suffering some from the injuries, but that he's continuing to get better.

 

[Robert5091]

With an uphill start, it'll be easy to spot who's suffering from injuries, sickness or bad form. Seems like half of the peloton might win today but I would not be surprised if Yates (shaven) starts his "Giro repris" tactics with getting bonus seconds/seconds on his rivals before week 3's ITT.

Cobo won by just 13 seconds in 2011 so ...

Edit - looking at the map of 2015's stage it seems that the video I linked to is all the way to the 2015 finish. They don't go the whole route this time so there's no steep finish.
2015 stage map at https://cdn.cyclingstage.com/images/vuelta-spain/2015/stage-2-route.jpg

Today's stage map at https://v2-medias.aso.fr/core_app/i...ute-etape-2/0628/0:0,1500:1918-960-0-70/3add0

 

[The Hegelian]

Parcours looks a lot like some of the Tour of Poland stages - where different kinds of riders could win, but Kwia took the chocolates. He's in serious form and has a red jersey to claim. Definite favourite.

Think Dennis will mark him though, so not sure he'll get the jersey.

 

[Robert5091]

Signing in live from 12.30 CET
https://twitter.com/lavuelta/status/1033650257433960448

 

[HelloDolly]

Re:

Parcours looks a lot like some of the Tour of Poland stages - where different kinds of riders could win, but Kwia took the chocolates. He's in serious form and has a red jersey to claim. Definite favourite.

Think Dennis will mark him though, so not sure he'll get the jersey.

Or one of the other highly placedBMC guyscould get the jersey...they seem in form...Teuns or Bookwalter ..maybe late attack by de Marchi who was great yesterday and in Poland

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Re: Re:

All depends on Sagan. If he's not in top shape, I can't see anyone beating Kwiatkowski.

Valverde will beat Kwiatkowski in almost any uphill sprint, but I don't know if that's going to be enough for the win.

On a harder finish yes, but this one suits Kwiat very well and he's obviously in amazing shape, so he's my favourite.

Kwiat almost got outsprinted by Teuns in an uphill sprint, in Poland (his second victory). So, my money would be on Sagan (unless he's out of shape).

I'd also say Benoot, McCarthy and Fraile are outside bets. The last two if they are allowed to ride their own chance tomorrow, of course.

Lambrecht might be the guy for Lotto

In the finishes in Poland, he was nowhere in sight. After his win against Albasini & Boason Hagen i expected him to show himself there. So i'm doubtful he will be a real threat in the Vuelta.

 

[Flamin]

Re: Re:

All depends on Sagan. If he's not in top shape, I can't see anyone beating Kwiatkowski.

Valverde will beat Kwiatkowski in almost any uphill sprint, but I don't know if that's going to be enough for the win.

On a harder finish yes, but this one suits Kwiat very well and he's obviously in amazing shape, so he's my favourite.

Kwiat almost got outsprinted by Teuns in an uphill sprint, in Poland (his second victory). So, my money would be on Sagan (unless he's out of shape).

That's hardly a bad thing.

 

[yaco]

Re:

Sagan was a bit slower on the prologue than I was expecting so I have a feeling he isn't 100%. If that's the case it is far more open, hard to tell the exact steepness of the finish but hard to argue Kwiat will be there with that prologue.

I will throw Matteo Trentins name into the hat as well and he will be my pick for the stage

Trentin was awful in a suitable prologue - Maybe he took it easy - We'll see.

 

[Midnightfright]

Re: Re:

Sagan was a bit slower on the prologue than I was expecting so I have a feeling he isn't 100%. If that's the case it is far more open, hard to tell the exact steepness of the finish but hard to argue Kwiat will be there with that prologue.

I will throw Matteo Trentins name into the hat as well and he will be my pick for the stage

Trentin was awful in a suitable prologue - Maybe he took it easy - We'll see.

I have to say I didn't really consider his prologue. It is conceivable he held back if he felt the stage 2 finish suited him

 

[tomorrow]

Re: Re:

Sagan was a bit slower on the prologue than I was expecting so I have a feeling he isn't 100%. If that's the case it is far more open, hard to tell the exact steepness of the finish but hard to argue Kwiat will be there with that prologue.

I will throw Matteo Trentins name into the hat as well and he will be my pick for the stage

Trentin was awful in a suitable prologue - Maybe he took it easy - We'll see.

I have to say I didn't really consider his prologue. It is conceivable he held back if he felt the stage 2 finish suited him

Same for sagan

 

[tobydawq]

Re: Re:

Sagan was a bit slower on the prologue than I was expecting so I have a feeling he isn't 100%. If that's the case it is far more open, hard to tell the exact steepness of the finish but hard to argue Kwiat will be there with that prologue.

I will throw Matteo Trentins name into the hat as well and he will be my pick for the stage

Trentin was awful in a suitable prologue - Maybe he took it easy - We'll see.

I have to say I didn't really consider his prologue. It is conceivable he held back if he felt the stage 2 finish suited him

Same for sagan

Sagan didn't look like holding back. He sprinted towards the line and even threw his bike at the line.

He's just not fully recovered yet, I fear.

Which makes his survival of the stage 19 of the Tour all the more impressive.

 

[Velolover2]

Last k is too hard to the sprinters with the exception of Peter.

I don't know how Sagan is feeling but he should be able to win this with his eyes closed if he is alright. Kwai needs a harder stage to outsprint him and Valverde needs a steeper gradient to drop him (7%+)..

 

[HelloDolly]

NIcolas Roche saying Tuens is the BMC leader for today...Dennis saying he is not defending the jersey

 

[wirral]

Did Zakarin fall off? He's at the doctor's car.

 

[Rollthedice]

Re:

Did Zakarin fall off? He's at the doctor's car.

Yes, though a bit too early even for his standards.

 

[tobydawq]

I think the break will take it. It's stupid to let De Gendt and Gougeard go away on such a tough stage.

 

[wirral]

Lol, normal service has been resumed. Zakarin falls off and Porte has a mechanical.

 

[sir fly]

Nice stage. Undulating profile, interesting scenery... And the finish doesn't favour anybody in particular.

 

[markene2]

Splits it seems

 

[tobydawq]

Re:

I think the break will take it. It's stupid to let De Gendt and Gougeard go away on such a tough stage.

Okay, De Gendt is dropped...

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

Something is wrong...

 

[Red Rick]

De Gendt saving energy?

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Re:

De Gendt saving energy?

but still getting camera time

 

[Jungle Cycle]

where was the kom??