Vuelta a Andalucia (Ruta del Sol) 20th -24th of February

[hrotha]

Im sitting here reading how awesome Duarte is and how hes getting big time over the peloton until i read that theres still 50k to go. So hes wasting this super early season strengh on ultimately nothing.

Looking at the profile, it's not like he has much of a choice.

 

[Jamsque]

Im sitting here reading how awesome Duarte is and how hes getting big time over the peloton until i read that theres still 50k to go. So hes wasting this super early season strengh on ultimately nothing.

Don't worry, he's Colombian, they are known for their strong riding on the flat.

Wait....

 

[Descender]

Ventoso is so taking this one.

 

[The Hitch]

Looking at the profile, it's not like he has much of a choice.

Do a different race?

 

[Spine Concept]

Duarte almost 3 minutes ahead now, 2:55. Wow.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Don't worry, he's Colombian, they are known for their strong riding on the flat.

Wait....

duarte has no weaknesses, he has incredible downhil skills as well as great rouleur skills, he dropped ramirez before the climb and the climb will suit him even more let's hope.

 

[jens_attacks]

Don't worry, he's Colombian, they are known for their strong riding on the flat.

Wait....

there are just 8 kms of flat to go.if duarte wins the stage,he certainly takes the GC.

i so hate how in those days they attack just in the last climb of the day so chapeau duarte!

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

3 minutes!!

 

[hrotha]

Do a different race?

Like Oman? Andalucia is much more important for Geox (just look at the squad they sent to Oman).

 

[Anonymous]

there are just 8 kms of flat to go.if duarte wins the stage,he certainly takes the GC.

i so hate how in those days they attack just in the last climb of the day so chapeau duarte!

161km stage - 124km gone

37k to go, 3 minute gap, mostly downhill. Going to be tight but I think they will get him.

 

[Jamsque]

Duarte has gone super early but he has a real chance today.

 

[hrotha]

It'd be nice to get some news about the front group, like who's chasing and what not.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

there's no way they will catch him in downhil, besides group can't be too big now. I think we have the most impressive win of the year so far _O_

 

[ingsve]

161km stage - 124km gone

37k to go, 3 minute gap, mostly downhill. Going to be tight but I think they will get him.

Also, it's not like it's a 100 man peloton chansing on the flat so the normal rules don't really apply. I think he has a very good shot here.

 

[Moncoutie]

Would love to see Duarte hold onto this, cant beat a successful attack from way out!

 

[The Hitch]

there's no way they will catch him in downhil, besides group can't be too big now. I think we have the most impressive win of the year so far _O_

Mate. On these boards Gesink winning a stage >>>> Eddy Merckx 90 km solo into Pau.

 

[theyoungest]

Mate. On these boards Gesink winning a stage >>>> Eddy Merckx 90 km solo into Pau.

Not as far as Ryo is concerned

The gap is below 2 minutes now.

 

[Frosty]

Even if yesterday's winner isnt there then you would have thought that some of the other teams would step up, having realised this morning that this might happen and that their climbing domestiques should be trying to get back? Have Omega and Radioshack not got many up there? Team Sky not managed to get back on. Guess we'll find out when the results come through.

EDIT: looks like its down to 1:52 now so someone is chasing.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

I think eveyrone is isolated behind duarte and they don't dare to ride full, as they are typical cowards of the modern european peloton. perhaps now at the end of the final climb there are a few left that dare to co work.

 

[hrotha]

Not as far as Ryo is concerned

The gap is below 2 minutes now.

A bit disappointing that he lost so much time in that climb, but then again he's not a cyborg from outer space and he must be starting to feel the efforts he's already done.

 

[theyoungest]

VDB2 might still find himself in the lead after this stage, even if Duarte manages to hold on. He's 41 seconds back on GC (quite a lot, I might add).

 

[sublimit]

there's no way they will catch him in downhil, besides group can't be too big now. I think we have the most impressive win of the year so far _O_

Dont count your chickens.. he hasnt won yet.

 

[Jamsque]

/\ /\ /\ /\
Beaten like a Colombian in a flat time trial

Ryo, don't count your chickens before they are hatched, and please don't make sweeping condemnations of entire continents. You are starting to sound like a Colombian version of ACF in here.

 

[taiwan]

This will be a hard win to pull off.

 

[Anonymous]

Hes lost a minute in 5k... Id say hes doomed.

Might scrape the stage, but wont take the GC lead imo.