Vuelta a España 2019 stage 18: Communidad de Madrid. Colmenar Viejo -Becerril de la Sierra > 177.5 km

[Scarponi]

A Colombian climber who had been taking turns on the front of a 200+km stage, dropped 10 seconds in the final 400m to Philippe Gilbert, who had been sitting in the wheels for the previous 40km. And 8 to Sam Bennett. And 1 second to Max Walscheid.

For further context, Quintana finished 20 seconds ahead of Stybar, who was caught with less than half a km to go.

In his 2nd consecutive GT riding at the front everyday while Gilbert would be surfing wheels half the GT

 

[Davesta]

Headwind on the final 2 climbs apparently, which might neutralise any action...

 

[King Boonen]

Quintana to go all out, drop everyone, win the stage, but stay in second overall by approximately the amount of time Movistar took out of the break yesterday...

 

[Cinemaniak]

Isn't Poels riding to fast for his own good? No one can follow.

 

[ice&fire]

Headwind on the final 2 climbs apparently, which might neutralise any action...

Clouds in the area are now moving to the West. Only a singular anomaly can make a headwind of that in the final two climbs.

 

[Broccolidwarf]

The entire peloton seems tired after yesterday.

Everyone is riding slow, and attacks happen as if the road was covered in molasses.

Today will be a war of attrition.

 

[Laplaz]

Attack by Meintjes, unbelievable

 

[Vino's Mum]

Quintana to go all out, drop everyone, win the stage, but stay in second overall by approximately the amount of time Movistar took out of the break yesterday...

Please, today is too hilly for Nails van der Quint. Besides, he has a cold or something.

 

[Broccolidwarf]

Fuglsang attacks from the peloton

 

[Broccolidwarf]

Caught again, people keep trying to peel off the front..... but it is clearly very difficult to get away. - Jumbo controlling the pace.

 

[Broccolidwarf]

Anyone know what the flag on Poels jersey is (next to his name on the side)?

 

[Noddy97]

Attack by Meintjes, unbelievable

He left the group of greatest wheelsuckers constituted by gerrans and leipheimer.

 

[Davesta]

Anyone know what the flag on Poels jersey is (next to his name on the side)?

I haven't got the race on screen to check, but I'm guessing it's the flag of Limburg?

 

[infeXio]

Anyone know what the flag on Poels jersey is (next to his name on the side)?

Limburg, apparently

 

[Broccolidwarf]

Hagen is trying to hit the break, which will make a lot of the riders hovering around top 10 react.

 

[ppanther92]

Pernsteiner really trying to force it. Thats like the 10th attack. Probably wants to ride the anger about losing a top10 and 23 minutes yesterday away.

 

[sir fly]

No major regrouping up the first climb, but the selection is present.
Yesterday's speeding is affecting.

 

[Cinemaniak]

I think Jumbo is happy with this stage. Enough climbing power for these attacks.

 

[Lequack]

Free glasses

 

[Eyeballs Out]

Jonas Koch has ninja'd his way to some good results in this race

 

[King Boonen]

Break is the break?

 

[Cinemaniak]

Powless still without a contract for 2020... Promising rider if you ask me

 

[sir fly]

A good number of riders ahead, but something's telling me we'll see more attempts later on.

 

[ppanther92]

Pernsteiner really trying to force it. Thats like the 10th attack. Probably wants to ride the anger about losing a top10 and 23 minutes yesterday away.

Now trying to bridge on his own...
And there he is, finally

 

[Noddy97]

BORING!