Vuelta a Andalucia/Ruta Del Sol (2.HC) 14/2 - 18/2/2018

[TourOfSardinia]

 

[Netserk]

I like how that image is cropped :lol:

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

Re:

I like how that image is cropped :lol:

I didn't notice but I approve :lol:

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

 

[Valv.Piti]

Soler with a pretty nice time trial, I have high hopes for the kid this year. Movistar podium sweep at Catalunya, El Imbatido winning, obviously

 

[Koronin]

I'm impressed with Soler. I also have high hopes for him in the future. He showed a glimpse of this last year at Catalunya working for Bala and finishing 3rd there. Great podium shot where he looks like he does think he belongs on that podium with Alejandro and Alberto.

I agree with Valv.Piti that Movistar could easily sweep the Catalunya podium this year with Bala winning. Soler has proven he's good enough to be there.

 

[tobydawq]

They are not sweeping any podiums.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

They are not sweeping any podiums.

Why you have to be dis way?

Seriously tho, its a longshot, but knowing Movistar in Spanish stage races they will be very well prepared. Unless Valverde crashes or severely underperforms, he is getting a podium here and Quintana and Soler are no slouches either... Quintana is Quintana and Soler is a Catalan who is very well suited for the climbs there..lets wait for the route.

 

[Koronin]

Why can't they sweep the podium. They put 2 riders on the podium there last year. Valverde in a 1 week Spanish race you can pretty much just hand him a podium spot before they start the race. Unless he screws up something he'll be on the podium. Quintana is also fairly reliable in 1 week races. Soler was on the podium there last year and just got a podium today. He's also Catalan and knows those climbs as well if not better than much of the rest of the peloton. He's proven he has the talent to get there. So it is very possible for them to sweep the podium. Plus it's Movistar, which is still the only Spanish world tour team and they relish racing in their home country in front of their fans.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Sweeping the podium is possible, of course, but just incredibly unlikely in a field of 150-200 riders, no matter the circumstances.

 

[tobydawq]

A podium sweep hasn't occurred so far in the history of the WorldTour, so I don't really see why I have to explain myself too much.

Valverde will win though, of course.

 

[Broccolidwarf]

Re:

Wellens 1, Poels 2

I'm really surprised the Astana guys didn't finish closer. Guess all that climbing prowess comes at a price for a lesser ITT?
Also did not expect De La Cruz to win the ITT... 4 guys from Sky in the top 12.. (Froome 11)

Fuglsang har not been a good TT rider for years, he slimmed down quite a bit for the mountains, when he became Nibalis lieutenant, and that has cost TT power..... but then he is a far better climber now, than ever before, especially on long climbs.

He told danish media he was very happy with the performance today..... and personally I think, he did a little better than the pure climbers, and almost on par with Froome and Sanchez, which is quite uplifting, at this point in the season.

Sanchez is a bit disappointing, as he is much more specialized for TT, and should be close to his peak now.... but possibly the last weeks of hard riding, at the front of races, has finally takes its toll.... and shown us why he can never go for a 3 week race?

All that having been said.... on dirt roads... who the fcuk knows?