Vuelta a España Stage 15: Avilés - Anglirú 144km

[hoolaparara]

It's 3 way now I think Wiggins v Mollema v Cobo. I think the most interesting thing is how Menchov will work. We know Froome will sacrifice himself for Wiggins, but I was a little surprised to see Menchov still there at the end on 14.

After the 30 second loss on the previous climb I was sort of expecting him to switch off like he tends to do and struggle to even break into the top 10. I figured he'd probably put in a bit of an effort (like san lorenzo) for Cobo but not that serious but he rode well to the end and I think he could be a significant factor Cobo IF he is actually riding for Cobo and not just to for a top 10 on the GC.

No idea what will actually happen. Nibali breaking surprised me yesterday and I've been expecting wiggins to drop small amounts of time but he never has. OTOH this is definitely the less wiggins friendly climb.. a lot depends on what condition mollema is and how good rodriguez is for a possible time/stage win exchange.

 

[wirral]

May I suggest a betting exchange like Betfair to lock in your winnings before El Cobo cracks on Angliru.

 

[wirral]

I'm beside myself.

I had £40 each-way on Cobo at 150/1 with Paddy Power before the race started and followed it up with another £11 each-way with Boyles at 125/1 after stage 3.

If anyone wants Cobo to win.....I do!!

May I suggest a betting exchange like Betfair to lock in your winnings before El Cobo cracks on Angliru.

Or maybe you're a high roller who likes the risk.

 

[richo36]

I still think Nibali will win this. I think he might of just had a bad day yesterday. Aslong as he waits to attack, in the last 3km. Up until that point only follow wiggins wheel unless he is struggling. Dont chase down attacks but lets wiggins and froome do it.

Also This has been a fantastic GT. just cos alll the main Favourites arent in the top ten doesnt mean its been a terrible GT. I think that it has made it more interesting. we are going into the main MTF and there are 8 ppl within 1min 37sec. The leader has never competed on such steep gradients. His team mate is sitting second and is looking stronger but will he sacrifice himself even if wiggins is strugling? The third place rider is an up and coming rider who could surprise. Forth is a good climber with 2 "possible" teammates who have won many GTs between them, but also put in a big effort yesterday. So will he be tired? 5th not really sure he can do it but you never know. 6th has the potential to win this stage. 7th is last year winner, who had an off day yesterday but has looked good apart from that. He will attack and give it everything. The fact that it is this close coming into the crucial moment of the race is epic. tonight stage is going to be another great night of the Vuelta.

 

[Richeypen]

I still think Nibali will win this. I think he might of just had a bad day yesterday. Aslong as he waits to attack, in the last 3km. Up until that point only follow wiggins wheel unless he is struggling. Dont chase down attacks but lets wiggins and froome do it.

If anyone starts chasing down attacks they will blow big time. Got to raced at their own tempo

 

[Eric8-A]

Wiggo will stay in red because no GC hopeful will attack.

 

[Raceoftruth]

Think its between wiggins, mollema and cobo. Really tough climb, wiggins has continually proved everyone wrong, and I think we will see that again.

 

[richo36]

If anyone starts chasing down attacks they will blow big time. Got to raced at their own tempo[/QUOTE

Exactly which is why i think Nibali's chance of winning is to stick with wiggins and froome. They have shown throughout the race they are going to ride at constant pace. Which will most likely pull attacks back in. He cant get caught out in the early attacking game that is going to happen with ppl like jrod.

 

[LukeSchmid]

Before yesterdays stage I going to pick Kessiakoff for this stage but he failed yesterday.
I thought Rodriguez would do really well today but he failed yesterday.
I thought Nibali would do really well today but he failed yesterday.
I thought Wiggins would struggle today but he did really well yesterday.
I thought Froome would struggle today but he did really well yesterday.
I have no idea who will win, I know nothing!!!

 

[sultanofhyd]

If anyone starts chasing down attacks they will blow big time. Got to raced at their own tempo[/QUOTE

Exactly which is why i think Nibali's chance of winning is to stick with wiggins and froome. They have shown throughout the race they are going to ride at constant pace. Which will most likely pull attacks back in. He cant get caught out in the early attacking game that is going to happen with ppl like jrod.

J-Rod will get spat out the back in no time, Angry Lu doesn't like him.

 

[sultanofhyd]

Before yesterdays stage I going to pick Kessiakoff for this stage but he failed yesterday.
I thought Rodriguez would do really well today but he failed yesterday.
I thought Nibali would do really well today but he failed yesterday.
I thought Wiggins would struggle today but he did really well yesterday.
I thought Froome would struggle today but he did really well yesterday.
I have no idea who will win, I know nothing!!!

Please predict that Wiggins will win the stage and TGBM will crack.

 

[richo36]

J-Rod will get spat out the back in no time, Angry Lu doesn't like him.

I think he will to. im sure he will try something, crack and game over. I just think Nibali, Cobo, mollema best chances are to stay out of the early attacks is what im saying. If any of those 3 go early i think they are handing it to wiggins and froome on a plate. Nibali should attack 3km to go, cobo and mollema can wait to 2km to go.

 

[sultanofhyd]

I think he will to. im sure he will try something, crack and game over. I just think Nibali, Cobo, mollema best chances are to stay out of the early attacks is what im saying. If any of those 3 go early i think they are handing it to wiggins and froome on a plate. Nibali should attack 3km to go, cobo and mollema can wait to 2km to go.

Well, you make it sound so simple, it's hard not blowing yourself on the Angliru, and very hard for diesels like Nibali to attack and blow others.

 

[LukeSchmid]

Please predict that Wiggins will win the stage and TGBM will crack.

What was that TGBM will win the stage and Wiggins will finish 103rd? I did not pick anything for yesterday, wimped out and am again today by the looks of it seeing I no longer think Kessiakoff will win.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Another brilliant thread intro Hitch!

 

[greenedge]

I wonder if Niemic might chance his ( arm cricket term)/legs now that Scarponi is gone. I would love to see that happen.

 

[Poursuivant]

Anton rolling in with Sutton and co. yesterday.

Anton for the win?

 

[greenedge]

You kidding, right? Schleck bros and 6 billion other people are laughing pretty hard somewhere if they are reading this.

Since most are riders that have never really shown form in a GT before yeah, Wiggins' high pace has the affect of Contador on them.

 

[3wheeler]

guess everyone will be grinding it out on 32 x 26 or something ridiculous at the steep end of the Climb... Still down to whos got the Power .. Froome & Wiggo both seem to have plenty of that in the Tank.. Theyre holding all the Cards with Time in Hand... What have the rest got... Soon Find out..

 

[jens_attacks]

what's the weather like in the area?i've heard is raining like hell?

 

[Climbing]

Angliru doesn't work like you're saying guys.
You don't attack or follow wheel or anything else, you just go, that's it.

 

[Mellow Velo]

what's the weather like in the area?i've heard is raining like hell?

Errr, looks like you are wrong....



A pity that there is so little in the way of live tv coverage of this, the Queen stage, since for once, the Angliru shouldn't be shrouded in mist or rain.....

 

[spalco]

I'm still rooting for Kessiakoff. Maybe he got a good night's sleep and some recovery, who knows...

I wouldn't be shocked if Wiggins even wins this stage btw.

 

[manafana]

some people on here need stop complaining, they said yesterday would be crap it spilts, then when it spilts they give out about something else.

Enjoy the race guy, appreciate the way wiggins work, if i was better at grinding i wouldnt be attacking. I used to attack in a style that people love but sure id soon be out back if didnt work, however upping the tempo has seen me burn people off, enjoy the excitement of seeing people drop off one by one, enjoy the mayhem and realise the racing is alot better than you think.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

For example Menchov could have beat them imo but he didn't want to bridge to Cobo for obvious reasons.

Obvious reasons? His presence would have slowed Cobo down? Only one Geox rider attacking confused the opposition? He will be given more leeway to attack today as the 10th placed rider in GC than he would be if he were 9th?

If he could have bridged alone, he would have; no-one in GC contention deliberately conceded time yesterday.