As Red Rick says everything is pure speculation. The stage to La Covatilla can have as little as nothing before like 2011 or as much as two cat 1 and a cat 2 climb before the final climb with a total far above 4000m of climbing, like 2002 or 2004. Pundits are predicting cr*p with the only goal of claiming they were the first ones to see it coming if cr*p is what we get when the detailed route is unveiled.
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Yeah lets pump the breaks a bit, we don't really know that much. But it could be a somewhat dire GT-year, I agree..
I always look at the Vuelta route as a freeroll. Nothing to lose and if it's actually a good route then it's a nice bonus.
Re:
Yeah thats a good way to go about it, but it was miles better than the Tour route this year tho and pretty much always delivers decent to good racing.Red Rick said:
railxmig
BANNED
Re:
If i'm not messing up my names i know Javalambre relatively well. It's a ski resort south of Teruel. It actually has enough space for even a Tour de France. the area also has some hilly dirt tracks south of the resort. Judging by the name and latidude it should be on top of a nearby peak, but (if i'm not mistaken) the dirt is quite rocky. The climb itself is also nothing great. It has many sides, but the hardest one (first part in a semi-gorge) i could find is max cat. 1 over 10km at 5-6%. I don't know however, how hard would be the last bit to the observatory. There is an alternative south side on a dirt track, which has some steep moments, but it also includes a 10km or more plateau ride to reach Javalambre. All information i provided here is straight from my memory, so some details are probably false. Now i really need to go to sleep...Nirvana said:
Maybe they thought about making it easier being closer to the Tour de France, so not to scare riders away. Just saying.
Valverde could be a big favorite.
Valverde could be a big favorite.
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Ciclo21 has some details. The Aragon Regional Government owns the observatory through its Industry and Innovation Department and is a shareholder of the nearby Javalambre ski station through the Aramon consortium who owns all the ski stations in the region, including Formigal, Cerler and Valdelinares.
http://www.ciclo21.com/vuelta-espana-2018/
They plan to use the road from Arcos de las Salinas, 12km @ 7.5%, but with the last 5km @ 10% and ramps of 15%.
I was wondering if Guillén had changed his mind about unpaved roads after the Tour decided to add this year an unpaved section in one of the mountain stages. But according to ciclo21 there's no change of mind: the project to pave the road is in the bidding phase and works will be completed before the race.
Another thought that comes to my mind is how they're going to fit Oiz, this and Andorra in the last week. With Oiz and Javalambre confirmed by news media I find the Andorra (unsourced) rumours harder to believe.
Nirvana said:
Ciclo21 has some details. The Aragon Regional Government owns the observatory through its Industry and Innovation Department and is a shareholder of the nearby Javalambre ski station through the Aramon consortium who owns all the ski stations in the region, including Formigal, Cerler and Valdelinares.
http://www.ciclo21.com/vuelta-espana-2018/
They plan to use the road from Arcos de las Salinas, 12km @ 7.5%, but with the last 5km @ 10% and ramps of 15%.
I was wondering if Guillén had changed his mind about unpaved roads after the Tour decided to add this year an unpaved section in one of the mountain stages. But according to ciclo21 there's no change of mind: the project to pave the road is in the bidding phase and works will be completed before the race.
Another thought that comes to my mind is how they're going to fit Oiz, this and Andorra in the last week. With Oiz and Javalambre confirmed by news media I find the Andorra (unsourced) rumours harder to believe.
Stage 20 will surelt take place un Andorra. The 3rd week looks like:
16. Llanes - Santona
17. Getxo - Oiz
18. Finish in ¿Javalambre?¿Huesca?¿Aralar?
19. Leída/Benabarre - Andorra with Comella
20. MTT Ordino or mountain stage with finish in Canolich
16. Llanes - Santona
17. Getxo - Oiz
18. Finish in ¿Javalambre?¿Huesca?¿Aralar?
19. Leída/Benabarre - Andorra with Comella
20. MTT Ordino or mountain stage with finish in Canolich
Oiz-Javalambre is a 5h drive, so Oiz to wherever the Javalambre stage starts from can hardly be less than 3h drive. Javalambre-Lleida/Benabarre is a 4h drive.
Two consecutive transfers of >3h and 4h in non-rest days? The longest transfers in 2017 (apart from Angliru-Madrid in the last day) were Cuenca-Hellin (stages 7-8), CalarAlto-Motril (stages 11-12) and StoToribio-Campo de Caso (stages 18-19), all of them around 2h30m by car.
Two consecutive transfers of >3h and 4h in non-rest days? The longest transfers in 2017 (apart from Angliru-Madrid in the last day) were Cuenca-Hellin (stages 7-8), CalarAlto-Motril (stages 11-12) and StoToribio-Campo de Caso (stages 18-19), all of them around 2h30m by car.
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It won't be closer to the Tour. The Tour start is delayed one week in 2018 but so is the Vuelta.
Escarabajo said:
It won't be closer to the Tour. The Tour start is delayed one week in 2018 but so is the Vuelta.
Several twitter users report that Asturian TV has confirmed Praeres and Covadonga as the two MTFs in the region.
https://twitter.com/39x28web/status/926102939248230400
https://twitter.com/39x28web/status/926102939248230400
Negotiations for the finish at Les Praeres are very advanced, but they are competing with other climbs such as la Farrapona, Picon Blanco or Javalambre.
http://www.elcomercio.es/deportes/ciclismo/vuelta-espana/vuelta-ciclista-espana-descubre-praeres-20171102211746-nt.html
AS has an article along similar lines, although they don't mention Farrapona and say that the stage finish at Picon Blanco might be postponed to future editions.
https://as.com/ciclismo/2017/11/01/vuelta_espana/1509576280_224796.html
No news media has mentioned Andorra while twitter user @gregariosdelujo spread a rumour about San Miguel de Aralar without knowing where it was or at least pretending it.
A second rest day on Monday followed by OIz, Aralar, a stage in Zaragoza/Huesca, a stage through Catalunya to Andorra and the final mountain stage in Andorra would make perfect sense with reasonable transfers. That would be consistent with the unsourced rumours to have a flat ITT near Zaragoza, a MTT in Andorra, both or none. But it would rule out Javalambre and the rumoured stage in Cantabria unless this region is visited only as part of the loop around Picos de Europa suggested by Libertine for the Covadonga stage.
I'm getting the feeling that Unipublic has thrown a list of climb names in a basket to choose from and they're leaking fake rumours at random to troll us.
http://www.elcomercio.es/deportes/ciclismo/vuelta-espana/vuelta-ciclista-espana-descubre-praeres-20171102211746-nt.html
AS has an article along similar lines, although they don't mention Farrapona and say that the stage finish at Picon Blanco might be postponed to future editions.
https://as.com/ciclismo/2017/11/01/vuelta_espana/1509576280_224796.html
No news media has mentioned Andorra while twitter user @gregariosdelujo spread a rumour about San Miguel de Aralar without knowing where it was or at least pretending it.
A second rest day on Monday followed by OIz, Aralar, a stage in Zaragoza/Huesca, a stage through Catalunya to Andorra and the final mountain stage in Andorra would make perfect sense with reasonable transfers. That would be consistent with the unsourced rumours to have a flat ITT near Zaragoza, a MTT in Andorra, both or none. But it would rule out Javalambre and the rumoured stage in Cantabria unless this region is visited only as part of the loop around Picos de Europa suggested by Libertine for the Covadonga stage.
I'm getting the feeling that Unipublic has thrown a list of climb names in a basket to choose from and they're leaking fake rumours at random to troll us.
Covadonga stage will just take place in Asturias, maybe Castilla y Leon if the stage's start is in Cistierna. The stage in Cantabria will be the next one, number 16. A flat or medium mountain stage finishing in Santoña.
My mate @gregariosdelujo didn't remember that la Vuelta climbed up Aralar in 2014, but now he does. If he said there's probably a stage there, it's because we have real information about it. But we have many more options. My preferred one is Pamplona-Huesca, to do Benabarre-Andorra the next day.
My mate @gregariosdelujo didn't remember that la Vuelta climbed up Aralar in 2014, but now he does. If he said there's probably a stage there, it's because we have real information about it. But we have many more options. My preferred one is Pamplona-Huesca, to do Benabarre-Andorra the next day.
The stage in Ourense is confirmed. Departure, finish and course are still unknown.
http://www.ciclo21.com/vuelta-espana-2018/
https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/deportes/2017/11/17/vuelta-2018-incluira-ourense-recorrido/0003_201711G17P47993.htm
The city of Burgos bids for a stage departure.
http://www.diariodeburgos.es/Noticia/Z172F81A1-BC4F-598F-5094BBC5572CF4C3/Burgos-quiere-mas-Vuelta
If they get it I guess it would be after the second rest day between the Asturian mountains and the Bizkaine stage to Monte Oiz.
http://www.ciclo21.com/vuelta-espana-2018/
https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/deportes/2017/11/17/vuelta-2018-incluira-ourense-recorrido/0003_201711G17P47993.htm
The city of Burgos bids for a stage departure.
http://www.diariodeburgos.es/Noticia/Z172F81A1-BC4F-598F-5094BBC5572CF4C3/Burgos-quiere-mas-Vuelta
If they get it I guess it would be after the second rest day between the Asturian mountains and the Bizkaine stage to Monte Oiz.
Covadonga confirmed. Most probably on Sunday 9/9, the day after the centenary celebrations
http://www.lne.es/oriente/2017/11/23/lagos-seran-final-etapa-vuelta/2197912.html
On the other hand, there are rumours about a stage in Catalunya. Unipubic would like a mountain stage in Val d'Aran, but the cities of Lleida and Tarragona have also offered to host a stage finish.
https://www.diaridetarragona.com/deportes/Tarragona-podria-acoger-un-final-de-etapa-de-la-Vuelta-2018-20171123-0047.html
http://www.lne.es/oriente/2017/11/23/lagos-seran-final-etapa-vuelta/2197912.html
On the other hand, there are rumours about a stage in Catalunya. Unipubic would like a mountain stage in Val d'Aran, but the cities of Lleida and Tarragona have also offered to host a stage finish.
https://www.diaridetarragona.com/deportes/Tarragona-podria-acoger-un-final-de-etapa-de-la-Vuelta-2018-20171123-0047.html
Galicia will host two stages. The first one around the Ribeira Sacra with finish town still unknown and the second one with finish at Estaca de Bares, the northernmost point of the Iberian Peninsula. They mention that this second stage will go through Ribadeo, so most of the course will be along the coast with hilly terrain in the last kms.
https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/deportes/2017/11/30/galicia-acogera-dos-etapas-vuelta-espana-2018/0003_201711G30P52991.htm
My guess is these stages will be on Wednesday and Thursday of the second week, just before the mountain stages in Asturias and Leon
https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/deportes/2017/11/30/galicia-acogera-dos-etapas-vuelta-espana-2018/0003_201711G30P52991.htm
My guess is these stages will be on Wednesday and Thursday of the second week, just before the mountain stages in Asturias and Leon
The first Galician stage is almost confirmed to be on Wed 5th of September. Departure will be from somewhere in the province of Zamora and will finish at Luintra.
http://www.laregion.es/articulo/deporte-local/ourense-regresa-vuelta/20171201080433751944.html
Luintra already hosted a stage finish in 2016 with victory for Simon Yates. Expect the same kind of hilly course around the River Sil canyon.
http://www.laregion.es/articulo/deporte-local/ourense-regresa-vuelta/20171201080433751944.html
Luintra already hosted a stage finish in 2016 with victory for Simon Yates. Expect the same kind of hilly course around the River Sil canyon.
Stage 4 will depart from Nerja (Malaga) and will finish in a hill near the town of Alfacar, in the outskirts of Granada
http://cadenaser.com/emisora/2017/12/05/radio_granada/1512463674_218368.html
This is the only profile I have found. The text indicates a different beginning of the climb making it only 12km long and sharing only the last 5 km with this profile.
Stage 5 will depart from Granada and will travel to the province of Almeria.
http://cadenaser.com/emisora/2017/12/05/radio_granada/1512463674_218368.html
This is the only profile I have found. The text indicates a different beginning of the climb making it only 12km long and sharing only the last 5 km with this profile.
Stage 5 will depart from Granada and will travel to the province of Almeria.
railxmig
BANNED
Re:
I guess it'll be via Alfacar or Viznar, but there is a lot of nice dirt roads in the area like the eastern side from Prado Negro (near A-92) or a sideroad from Viznar labeled as GR-3103... after further investigation Prado Negro won't work as there's nothing besides the A-92 motorway.ice&fire said:Stage 4 will depart from Nerja (Malaga) and will finish in a hill near the town of Alfacar, in the outskirts of Granada
http://cadenaser.com/emisora/2017/12/05/radio_granada/1512463674_218368.html
This is the only profile I have found. The text indicates a different beginning of the climb making it only 12km long and sharing only the last 5 km with this profile.
Stage 5 will depart from Granada and will travel to the province of Almeria.
This link more or less confirms two of the MTFs before the second rest day.
http://www.leonoticias.com/deportes/ciclismo/camperona-picos-jueces-20171208131131-nt.html
Friday 7th of Sep: La Camperona, coming from Asturias through Puerto de Tarna.
Saturday 8th of Sep: Lagos de Covadonga, entering Asturias through San Isidro. I can't see anything more than one or two cat 2 climbs far away from the fininsh.
This leaves the other rumoured MTF to Sunday 9th of Sep: Praeres de Nava.
I have a hard time believing the order of the last two. Regarding the finish at Covadonga, Unipublic is in talks with the National Park authorities to have the finish at the old site at Lago de la Ercina, that's 1km more of climbing than we've got in recent years. If they don't include a proper sequence of climbs in the stage to Praeres we're set for a very dissapointing weekend.
http://www.leonoticias.com/deportes/ciclismo/camperona-picos-jueces-20171208131131-nt.html
Friday 7th of Sep: La Camperona, coming from Asturias through Puerto de Tarna.
Saturday 8th of Sep: Lagos de Covadonga, entering Asturias through San Isidro. I can't see anything more than one or two cat 2 climbs far away from the fininsh.
This leaves the other rumoured MTF to Sunday 9th of Sep: Praeres de Nava.
I have a hard time believing the order of the last two. Regarding the finish at Covadonga, Unipublic is in talks with the National Park authorities to have the finish at the old site at Lago de la Ercina, that's 1km more of climbing than we've got in recent years. If they don't include a proper sequence of climbs in the stage to Praeres we're set for a very dissapointing weekend.
The rumour of Andorra is confirmed according to Ciclo21
http://www.ciclo21.com/vuelta-espana-2018/
There will be a finish coming from the province of Huesca with two climbs in Spain and La Comella with a finish in town. The second stage will be 'spectacular'. A copy of (or a variation on) the 2015 stage is in the making.
So the rumour of Javalambre was Unipublic trolling us.
Olders posts in Ciclo 21 include the departures and finishes of some stages in the first week. These allow completing a route with only two gaps.
Stage 1: Malaga ITT
Stage 2: Marbella - Caminito del Rey (MTF)
Stage 3: Mijas - Alhaurín de la Torre
Stage 4: Velez Málaga - La Alfaguara (MTF)
Stage 5: Granada - Province of Almería???
Stage 6: Huercal Overa - Province of Murcia???
Stage 7: Puerto Lumbreras - Pozo Alcón
Stage 8: Linares - Castilla la Mancha???
Stage 9: ??? - La Covatilla (MTF)
Rest day (Monday)
Stage 10: Salamanca - Fermoselle?
Stage 11: Province of Zamora??? - Luintra
Stage 12: ??? - Estaca de Bares
Stage 13: Candás - La Camperona (MTF)
Stage 14: Cistierna - Lagos de Covadonga (MTF)
Stage 15: ??? - Les Praeres? (MTF)
Rest day (Monday)
Stage 16: ???
Stage 17: Getxo - Monte Oiz (MTF)
Stage 18: ???
Stage 19: Province of Huesca? - Andorra
Stage 20: Andorra 'spectacular' mountain stage (MTF?)
Stage 21: Madrid
I have tentatively placed the Monte Oiz stage on Wednesday to avoid the 4 MTFs in a row. There are two gaps, one of them I would expect is an ITT. I have counted 8 MTFs but rumours said that Guillén said there would be 10. So maybe there are a couple of small muritos there I'm missing or one of the unknown stages in the last week is another MTF.
Waiting to see the detailed stage routes this can be anything from garbage to decent.
http://www.ciclo21.com/vuelta-espana-2018/
There will be a finish coming from the province of Huesca with two climbs in Spain and La Comella with a finish in town. The second stage will be 'spectacular'. A copy of (or a variation on) the 2015 stage is in the making.
So the rumour of Javalambre was Unipublic trolling us.
Olders posts in Ciclo 21 include the departures and finishes of some stages in the first week. These allow completing a route with only two gaps.
Stage 1: Malaga ITT
Stage 2: Marbella - Caminito del Rey (MTF)
Stage 3: Mijas - Alhaurín de la Torre
Stage 4: Velez Málaga - La Alfaguara (MTF)
Stage 5: Granada - Province of Almería???
Stage 6: Huercal Overa - Province of Murcia???
Stage 7: Puerto Lumbreras - Pozo Alcón
Stage 8: Linares - Castilla la Mancha???
Stage 9: ??? - La Covatilla (MTF)
Rest day (Monday)
Stage 10: Salamanca - Fermoselle?
Stage 11: Province of Zamora??? - Luintra
Stage 12: ??? - Estaca de Bares
Stage 13: Candás - La Camperona (MTF)
Stage 14: Cistierna - Lagos de Covadonga (MTF)
Stage 15: ??? - Les Praeres? (MTF)
Rest day (Monday)
Stage 16: ???
Stage 17: Getxo - Monte Oiz (MTF)
Stage 18: ???
Stage 19: Province of Huesca? - Andorra
Stage 20: Andorra 'spectacular' mountain stage (MTF?)
Stage 21: Madrid
I have tentatively placed the Monte Oiz stage on Wednesday to avoid the 4 MTFs in a row. There are two gaps, one of them I would expect is an ITT. I have counted 8 MTFs but rumours said that Guillén said there would be 10. So maybe there are a couple of small muritos there I'm missing or one of the unknown stages in the last week is another MTF.
Waiting to see the detailed stage routes this can be anything from garbage to decent.
That Andorra rumor has peaked my interest, though it's about the first exciting rumor I've ehraed about the race.
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