Vuelta 2018 Stage 7:Puerto Lumbreras - Pozo Alcón 185.7km

[Robert5091]

Today's and tomorrow's stages are similar so if the GC guys are already thinking of Sunday, then a strong breakaway could notch up 2 wins.

Will there be another "Mystery Guest Rider" in the breakaway? (Sounds like a TV reality show ) Maté has not got a lot points left on offer before Sunday's fireworks stage.

 

[The Barb]

Re:

One name. Omar Fraile.

I kind of agree, although it has been reported that he’s still suffering from his crash on Stage 2 and won’t be going for stage wins until next week.

Don’t know what to make of that given his improved performance yesterday. I doubt he’ll go in the break but if it’s a reduced sprint he’s a very conceivable winner.

 

[Alexandre B.]

Re:

Why didn’t Sunweb take Matthews? There’s been 2 or 3 finishes that suit him well so far...

He will do the Canadian races, right? He has good chance there.

 

[Laplaz]

Re: Re:

One name. Omar Fraile.

I kind of agree, although it has been reported that he’s still suffering from his crash on Stage 2 and won’t be going for stage wins until next week.

Don’t know what to make of that given his improved performance yesterday. I doubt he’ll go in the break but if it’s a reduced sprint he’s a very conceivable winner.

Didn't knew about that ... then i'll go with Gallopin

 

[Robert5091]

Re: Re:

One name. Omar Fraile.

I kind of agree, although it has been reported that he’s still suffering from his crash on Stage 2 and won’t be going for stage wins until next week.

Don’t know what to make of that given his improved performance yesterday. I doubt he’ll go in the break but if it’s a reduced sprint he’s a very conceivable winner.

Didn't knew about that ... then i'll go with Gallopin

Take away the guy's that are injured, and those here just for training for the Worlds, and there's not a lot left!

That short climbs ends with 7 km to the finish and it's nearly all uphill too so Movistar might well set it up for Valverde. All depends on how fast the peloton do those last 2 short climbs.
(I'm waiting for Tonton's predicition before making a guess! )

 

[Squire]

Prades from a breakaway, extending the streak of first WT win of the season for stage winner's team to 4!

 

[Midnightfright]

I think Yates would have a great shot at this but suspect he will restrain from having a go. Think it will be a sprint between Kwiat and Valverde again

 

[barmaher]

The stage suits Dan Marin.

It's actually a really nice finish. I think this Vuelta course has been a lot better than most of the forum (me included) gave it credit for.

 

[WheelofGear]

Kwiatkowski's best chance for a stage win.

The last 25 k could be fun and chaotic if we get some GC action.

The penultimate climb is similar to Willunga Hill and the last one looks like a typical Liege hill. There has to be some serious selection. 20 riders max.

 

[WheelofGear]

Last 17.5 km. All credits to mytwospokesworth.com

Final climb before the uphill drag.

I'm more and more tempted to go with Yates.

 

[HelloDolly]

Kwaito or Uran for me

 

[Laplaz]

Don't think Yatesy will try something. And i'm not sure who will control the break here. Movistar could, but will they?

 

[Laplaz]

I forgot one thing, there are also bonus seconds on top of that little 1.8 km at 8% stretch. I know there are only 3 seconds, but still.

 

[Lexman]

Re:

I forgot one thing, there are also bonus seconds on top of that little 1.8 km at 8% stretch. I know there are only 3 seconds, but still.

so still something for Yates I guess

will Mollard be able to stay in red, I have my doubts...

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re: Re:

I forgot one thing, there are also bonus seconds on top of that little 1.8 km at 8% stretch. I know there are only 3 seconds, but still.

so still something for Yates I guess

will Mollard be able to stay in red, I have my doubts...

I think he can, he has a decent advantage. He's a pretty solid climber.

 

[Alexandre B.]

Re: Re:

I forgot one thing, there are also bonus seconds on top of that little 1.8 km at 8% stretch. I know there are only 3 seconds, but still.

so still something for Yates I guess

will Mollard be able to stay in red, I have my doubts...

This stage suits Molard well, it would be strange for him to lose more than 30 seconds on Kwiatkowski.

 

[King Boonen]

I like this stage design.

 

[Sestriere]

FDJ will surely want to defend red, so depending on the composition of the break they will want to keep them close enough. In that case other teams would join them later on. Considering this, I'm not convinced a break will make it all the way.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Very interesting stage. My hope is FDJ will control it somewhat and teams like Sky and Movi will catch the break, but I doubt it...

 

[Eyeballs Out]

Re:

I forgot one thing, there are also bonus seconds on top of that little 1.8 km at 8% stretch. I know there are only 3 seconds, but still.

I think the sprint may be at the bottom of the hill - at least according to the altitude in the roadbook

 

[wirral]

If the break stays away, probably Woods (who just crashed and got back on) vs Gougeard. It won't stay away though.

 

[Flamin]

Good, because I want to see the bunch fight for the stage on such terrain.

 

[Popchu]

Re:

If the break stays away, probably Woods (who just crashed and got back on) vs Gougeard. It won't stay away though.

Add De Tier.

But indeed, Groupama and Bora set the pace, so no breakaway win I guess.

 

[Red Rick]

I'm thinking Bouhanni could make it again

 

[tomorrow]

Re: Re:

If the break stays away, probably Woods (who just crashed and got back on) vs Gougeard. It won't stay away though.

Add De Tier.

But indeed, Groupama and Bora set the pace, so no breakaway win I guess.

I wonder who is Bora riding on. It seems a lot of work for more than uncertain result with Sagan. I suspect they are riding on McCarthy today.