Vuelta 2018 Stage 9:Talavera to La Covatilla 200.8 km

[GuyIncognito]

I'm expecting Yates to take the lead, Valverde to lose a little bit of time

Quintana is the wild card, IMO

 

[Koronin]

Re: Re:

I think the break wins this one. If the other GC teams expect Movistar to control the break they'll let it go as they are always conservative when it comes to those things. If no one in the GC goes early, then I'd expect Yates to go close to the finish and the only GC rider who can handle Yates' acceleration and do anything with it is Valverde. This is also likely to be the worst stage of this Vuelta for Valverde.

Why is Valverde ill-suited? Undulating terrain leading up to the final climb. It's not a true multi-mountain stage.

It's not that it's ill-suited to him physically, as it does fit his skill set. The issues are more mental (if those things actually effect him) as he's had some issues with it very early in his career, although not loosing much time either.

 

[movingtarget]

Good stage for Quintana but the break might survive if they get a big gap early. Is this stage the beginning of the end for Kwia ? Probably too early in the race for the likes of Nibali and Porte. Uran needs to show something. Are Lotto Jumbo going to make use of the numbers they seem to have at the moment ?

 

[Koronin]

Re:

Good stage for Quintana but the break might survive if they get a big gap early. Is this stage the beginning of the end for Kwia ? Probably too early in the race for the likes of Nibali and Porte. Uran needs to show something. Are Lotto Jumbo going to make use of the numbers they seem to have at the moment ?

Nibali has talked about week 3, so I wouldn't expect much from him other than maybe if he's ok to help I Izagirre.

 

[RattaKuningas]

Finally a stage for GC riders to do something. If Quintana feels any good today I can't see him not winning this because this is a proper climb compared to what we had few stages ago.

 

[Robert5091]

Since it's 80 km from the top of the Puerto de Pena Negra to the start of the La Covatilla climb I'd say it's likely it will be a big group at the start of the last climb. A lot of riders (and I'm thinking of the likes of Aru) need something to rescue their season but this is maybe too early in the Vuelta to go nuts.

Could well be the Movistar train against "Superman". One things for sure, it'll be hot again.

 

[Robert5091]

Re: Re:

Two comments:
1) Spanish TV will broadcast the whole stage. They'll start at 11:35 CET, 30 min before the stage departure. Check your broadcasters or streams
2) There is a novelty in the climb to La Covatilla. Instead of going out from Bejar to the East through the N630a road to the SA-100 and then the DSA-180, they'll go Southeast to the village of Candelario, and then Northeast through the DSA-181 to join the SA-100. The road between Bejar and Candelario has long sections at 8%-9%, and the streets of Candelario are steep, narrow... and cobbled. Head out to Google Street View
So the distance from Bejar to the summit is a bit (1.5 - 2 km) longer than in past editions and the first 4km include more difficult sections.

Do you have the profile?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgcFg8Dd3SA

watch and wonder

Who the [bleep!] thought that was a good idea?! :surprised:
It'll only take one old lady taking the dog out to walk into the middle of the peloton! Not to mention that drainage channel - how many will end up in that? Gotta love the Vuelta.

 

[Pantani_lives]

If Quintana wants to win the Vuelta he has to attack today. There are only three serious MTFs and this is the first of them. Anyone who stays with Quintana today has a chance to win the Vuelta.

 

[del1962]

Pointy end today?

Quintana
Lopez
Yates
Keldermann
Uran

 

[Alexandre B.]

Re:

I would love Molard to somehow keep the jersey, although it is obviously bordering on the impossible.

If he can Van Avermaet his way into the break, then it is possible.

 

[The Barb]

Re:

If Quintana wants to win the Vuelta he has to attack today. There are only three serious MTFs and this is the first of them. Anyone who stays with Quintana today has a chance to win the Vuelta.

I don’t agree at all. There are plenty of opportunities later. Sure, if he’s feeling good then by all means attack, but it’s not essential. This isn’t like the Tour where there are three or four top GC riders who will take big time off him in the time trial. He can be patient and trust he will finish strongly in the cooler north, like he usually does.

MAL is a little different. His form is obviously strong and he should probably make the most of it when he can, while hoping he doesn’t fade towards the end like he did last year.

I think the break wins but amonst the GC guys I see it something like:

Yates
Lopez +10
Buchmann, Valverde, Quintana, Keldermann +30

 

[WheelofGear]

Quintana has not looked good-good but we haven't seen the real mountains yet. Valverde shouldn't be forced to babysit him if he isn't at 100%, could be the end for both of them.

 

[ice&fire]

Re: Re:

Two comments:
1) Spanish TV will broadcast the whole stage. They'll start at 11:35 CET, 30 min before the stage departure. Check your broadcasters or streams
2) There is a novelty in the climb to La Covatilla. Instead of going out from Bejar to the East through the N630a road to the SA-100 and then the DSA-180, they'll go Southeast to the village of Candelario, and then Northeast through the DSA-181 to join the SA-100. The road between Bejar and Candelario has long sections at 8%-9%, and the streets of Candelario are steep, narrow... and cobbled. Head out to Google Street View
So the distance from Bejar to the summit is a bit (1.5 - 2 km) longer than in past editions and the first 4km include more difficult sections.

Do you have the profile?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgcFg8Dd3SA

watch and wonder

Who the [bleep!] thought that was a good idea?! :surprised:
It'll only take one old lady taking the dog out to walk into the middle of the peloton! Not to mention that drainage channel - how many will end up in that? Gotta love the Vuelta.

The drainage channels will be covered.
But it won't be the first time a pro race goes through those streets. This is from the 2016 Vuelta a Castilla y Leon:

And this link contains more pictures:
http://www.salamancaentresierras.com/2016/04/alejandro-valverde-muestra-su-poderio.html

 

[Laplaz]

Re:

Buchmann to gain time on all the other gc contenders (someone has to start the Buchmann hype).

Thank god there is someone. Hopefully the crash had no effects on him.

 

[ice&fire]

Live images on in the neutralised start.

Maté ready to go on the break chasing KOM points

 

[Rollthedice]

Exposed windy final ascent, headwind predicted, I'd say minimal gaps apart from a few who will crack. Any candidates? Think Ion will survive, Yates will attack at some point, Valverde will be Quintana's watch dog.

 

[Eyeballs Out]

The thing I remember about the Covatilla climb (from 2011) is how exposed it is in the last few kms when the gradient is more shallow. It was quite a strong crosswind that year - this time it looks more headwind unfortunately.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Re:

Live images on in the neutralised start.

Maté ready to go on the break chasing KOM points

http://tiz-cycling.live/#main

 

[Red Rick]

Why are like 90% of finishing climbs nowadays headwind

 

[ice&fire]

Sagan flats and they hold on the real start

 

[Rollthedice]

Re:

Why are like 90% of finishing climbs nowadays headwind

Climate change.

 

[Rollthedice]

Nice parcours for the beginning of the stage. A group with De Gendt and Mollema up front.

 

[ice&fire]

Peloton slows down. The break goes ahead with 11 men

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Break composition, anyone?

 

[Rollthedice]

And there's a break. Now, a long boring day will day.