Vuelta a España 2011

[El Pistolero]

You mean the Gilbert one? Yea, that'd be good to see. The Antón one is back this year (that was stage 4 last year iirc). The stage 8 finish is a frightening little ramp that tops out at 28% too - could be good. They usually use part of it when climbing to Monte Abantos - no MTF this year, but the best of the base town. A bit like going through the town of Valdepeñas de Jaén and finishing on that nasty, nasty ramp, instead of going past and along and up to Sierra de la Pandera I guess.

Yes, that one. The Igor Anton one was also a nice stage, so glad that's back.

Bolded; ouch, that's going to hurt! Definitely something for Igor Anton. I hope he wins this year, but it's going to be hard. How is his time trial anyway? Can't remember much time trials where he was in.

 

[The Hitch]

Oh aye? Would that be yourself?

Ill hopefully be in Madrid for other reasons but will plan my being there around the Vuelta if i do go.

I was reffering to NVPachi who is the second biggest EE fan behind Arnout.

He says hes going to Spain to watch a few Vuelta stages to get the Grand Tour experience.

If i am there earlier and want to go to a MTF, prefferably Angry Louie, i might need contact with someone who is going to that stage to know how to get there.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

well, San Lorenzo de El Escorial is in Comunidad de Madrid, so should be pretty easily accessible - short and very steep finish, should be fun.

 

[nvpacchi]

Ill hopefully be in Madrid for other reasons but will plan my being there around the Vuelta if i do go.

I was reffering to NVPachi who is the second biggest EE fan behind Arnout.

He says hes going to Spain to watch a few Vuelta stages to get the Grand Tour experience.

If i am there earlier and want to go to a MTF, prefferably Angry Louie, i might need contact with someone who is going to that stage to know how to get there.

True dat, going to stages 13, 15, 19, & 20 (maybe 11 if I can swing it)

Angliru is relatively easy to get to. Train to Oviedo, then a bus to La Vega Riosa. I'm probably camping out the night before near the summit, so I can roam early and try to find the best spot.

For Ancares I cannot for the life of me find any transport from Ponferrada to Ancares's summit. There seems to be no busline that takes one anywhere near the foot of the climb. Even if I have to hike 10k I don't care, but the closest I can get is about 30k. If anyone has any good info how to get to the Ancares, PLEASE lemme know.

 

[hrotha]

well, San Lorenzo de El Escorial is in Comunidad de Madrid, so should be pretty easily accessible - short and very steep finish, should be fun.

It's like an hour and a half away from where I live. :\
The good news is, there's a commuter train station there.

 

[The Hitch]

well, San Lorenzo de El Escorial is in Comunidad de Madrid, so should be pretty easily accessible - short and very steep finish, should be fun.

mmm. If the journed there doesnt cost too much. I see the tt is in Salamanca though which is where all the tourists go from Madrid. Could swing that.

True dat, going to stages 13, 15, 19, & 20 (maybe 11 if I can swing it)

I like your sig. Samu doesnt have a throne nor a Queen, nor anybod who understands him, but with money or without money, he does what he wants, so he continues to be the king.

Angliru is relatively easy to get to. Train to Oviedo, then a bus to La Vega Riosa. I'm probably camping out the night before near the summit, so I can roam early and try to find the best spot.

Anyone know how much that would cost from Madrid?

It's like an hour and a half away from where I live. :\
The good news is, there's a commuter train station there.

You live South or North of Madrid?

 

[The Sheep]

one of the guys who will be missed during vuelta.can't believe what they are doing to him...

it was a pleasure to see nibali dropped.

Think Daan Luijkx said they wanted to hear a ruling soon or they might let him start race again. So maybe he'll be at the Vuelta.

 

[icefire]

For Ancares I cannot for the life of me find any transport from Ponferrada to Ancares's summit. There seems to be no busline that takes one anywhere near the foot of the climb. Even if I have to hike 10k I don't care, but the closest I can get is about 30k. If anyone has any good info how to get to the Ancares, PLEASE lemme know.

I'm afraid that's all there is to it. Ancares is in the middle of nowhere, which explains why the summit is 55kms to the stage finish. I can't see other option than renting a car at Ponferrada.

If you get to go let us know. You might be the only one watching at the road

 

[icefire]

Anyone know how much that would cost from Madrid?

Train Madrid-Oviedo, costs about 50€ single trip. There may be special offers on particular departure days and times.

Train Madrid-Salamanca is 20€ single trip.

Round trip tickets have 20% discount on the total.

 

[hrotha]

mmm. If the journed there doesnt cost too much.
(...)
You live South or North of Madrid?

From Madrid proper, the trip to El Escorial should cost €2.80 by train (single trip).

I live in South Madrid. Far away from any interesting climbs.

 

[Roninho]

Think Daan Luijkx said they wanted to hear a ruling soon or they might let him start race again. So maybe he'll be at the Vuelta.

Luijkx said during an interview last week that a ruling was scheduled to be made on short notice, however that the federation (or whoever is doing the investigation, can't remember) was expected to ask for permission to delay it. Luijkx was quite clear that if the ruling was delayed they would seriously consider having mosq riding again, since they kept him from riding voluntary and he felt you can't do that to the guy any longer. Which i agree with.

 

[The Hitch]

From Madrid proper, the trip to El Escorial should cost €2.80 by train (single trip).

I live in South Madrid. Far away from any interesting climbs.

So you live near Pinto

Tis why i asked.

 

[hrotha]

So you live near Pinto

Tis why i asked.

Haha, close enough in the big scheme of things, but still out of range for any flamethrower I might or might not possess.

I've never been to Pinto, though. It's like a whole different world, South-South, while I live in the South-West.

 

[ericthesportsman6]

can someone give me a link to all the stage profiles? Also, any news on whether Gesink and VDB will be riding?

 

[icefire]

can someone give me a link to all the stage profiles? Also, any news on whether Gesink and VDB will be riding?

Libertine Seguros posted profiles earlier in the thread:
http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showpost.php?p=626426&postcount=219

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

can someone give me a link to all the stage profiles? Also, any news on whether Gesink and VDB will be riding?

gesink no
vdb yes

 

[nvpacchi]

I like your sig. Samu doesnt have a throne nor a Queen, nor anybod who understands him, but with money or without money, he does what he wants, so he continues to be the king.



Anyone know how much that would cost from Madrid?


You live South or North of Madrid?

Lulz thanks- your description kinda sounds like Gadret, but Samu is his own being. You can also take a 5hr bus ride from Madrid to Oviedo for 65 euro roundtrip. That was my original plan until I decided to fly into Lisbon

I'm afraid that's all there is to it. Ancares is in the middle of nowhere, which explains why the summit is 55kms to the stage finish. I can't see other option than renting a car at Ponferrada.

If you get to go let us know. You might be the only one watching at the road

arrrgh, I guess I might have to try and get lucky and hitch a ride out there, or bike out there .

 

[ericthesportsman6]

gesink no
vdb yes

How has VDB recovered? His injuries seemed pretty bad at the time.

 

[Ruudz0r]

Does anyone know if Rojas is planning to do the Vuelta?

 

[El Pistolero]

How has VDB recovered? His injuries seemed pretty bad at the time.

They were all broken on good places to recover fast.

 

[Kopuliak]

will Sagan go?

yes
http://www.saganpeter.com/en/calendar

 

[The Hitch]

Lulz thanks- your description kinda sounds like Gadret, but Samu is his own being. You can also take a 5hr bus ride from Madrid to Oviedo for 65 euro roundtrip. That was my original plan until I decided to fly into Lisbon
.

The description was a play on your title "El Rey".

Perhaps the most famous Spanish language song is "El Rey" and those are the lyrics. The bit about doing what one wants fits Samu. As does the bit about being happy without a throne as Samu is always happy.

can someone give me a link to all the stage profiles? Also, any news on whether Gesink and VDB will be riding?

Paste this url http://img.server86.nl/sport/wielrennen/editie/profiel/22_2011_13.jpg

and change "13" for the number of the stage you want to see.

 

[nvpacchi]

The description was a play on your title "El Rey".

Perhaps the most famous Spanish language song is "El Rey" and those are the lyrics. The bit about doing what one wants fits Samu. As does the bit about being happy without a throne as Samu is always happy.



Paste this url http://img.server86.nl/sport/wielrennen/editie/profiel/22_2011_13.jpg

and change "13" for the number of the stage you want to see.

woops , I am now obliged to look it up

 

[Swede1]

Not really overlooked - he's just been terrible ever since that stage win in 2009. Didn't finish a race in 2010.


The official site hasn't got them up but they were released and you can find them about. I'll post them.

STAGE 1:

2:

3:

4:

Thanks Libertine Seguros for the profiles!!!

 

[Swede1]

Does anyone know if Brajkovic is recovering well, and is training to do a good GC? Or is he just going to ride as a helper/try for a stage? I think he can podium like Velits last year if he trains for the Vuelta like he did for the Dauphine last year.