Vuelta a España 2019 stage 9: Andorra La Vella - Cortals d'Encamp > 94.4km

[Noddy97]

Astana to go all out for MAL.

 

[wheresmybrakes]

Hoping NQ goes all out to gain some time. Expecting Vv to stick to Roglic' wheel all through tomorrow and ask permission if he can stick there throughout the ITT on Tuesday.

 

[sir fly]

This is a real deal.
There were uphill finishes by now, but this is a proper high mountain stage. And it's short.
The well prepared will come to the surface.

 

[skippo12]

I expect Lopez and Quintana to gain time. Will be interesting to see if Roglic and Valverde suffer from the altitude. Both don´t have the best track record when it comes to multi mountain stages like this.
Considering that Valverde was at his limit and Quintana had to slow down multiple times two days ago he might be the weakest among the top 4.

 

[johnymax]

I have a feeling that Roglič is very strong and I don't think he'll lose time to his main rivals. Maybe only a handful of seconds.

 

[Koronin]

Hoping the rain and cold temperatures from today don't have any lasting problems for Valverde tomorrow. Apparently he was complaining about being frozen after the stage.

 

[movingtarget]

Quintana likes the cold. Roglic's performance will be the interesting one re the rest of the race.

 

[Blanco]

I expect Lopez and Quintana to gain time. Will be interesting to see if Roglic and Valverde suffer from the altitude. Both don´t have the best track record when it comes to multi mountain stages like this.
Considering that Valverde was at his limit and Quintana had to slow down multiple times two days ago he might be the weakest among the top 4.

Yeah, he was so weak that he actually won the stage

 

[Mayomaniac]

Gallina is a great climb and it's a good stage, but the Vuelta could change things up a bit with their Andorra stages.
Enter France and then Evalira from North before Beixalis-la Comela and a finish in Andorra La Vella after the descent. If you want to make it really hard you can start in Puigcerda and have Pailheres before Evalira, but I would already be happy with the first option.

 

[Ludwigzgz]

Cold and rain expected.
I'm curious to see of someone will try to test MAL descending skills in those conditions.

Where? in what descent? descending la Gallina? 40 km from the summit of la Gallina to the end. Contador is not here...

Note: La Gallina in spanish means "the hen" in english

 

[Velolover2]

I suppose it's Valverde's job to glue himself to Roglic's wheel while Quintana attacks.

Lopéz might get a bit more leash. I could see Roglic chasing Quintana/Lopez with Valverde on his wheel.

Could be a problem for Q if Lopéz refuses to do any work even if it's in his best interest before the ITT. That's scenario has happened before.

 

[rick james]

Old firm day and this monster in the cycling...what a day a head from me..

 

[Bushman]

Old firm day and this monster in the cycling...what a day a head from me..

Dont forget North London Derby later as well

 

[ice&fire]

Where? in what descent? descending la Gallina? 40 km from the summit of la Gallina to the end. Contador is not here...

Note: La Gallina in spanish means "the hen" in english

40km is shorter than Agnello to Risoul

 

[Blanco]

Where? in what descent? descending la Gallina? 40 km from the summit of la Gallina to the end. Contador is not here...

Note: La Gallina in spanish means "the hen" in english

Contador?

 

[Pantani_lives]

Lopez might take red for the fourth time, just to lose it again in the ITT. He's clearly unable to keep red for longer than one stage, so if he wants to win the Vuelta he'll have to take red in the flat stage 21.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Dont forget North London Derby later as well

All-Ireland Football final: that's the only other event of interest.

 

[Breezy1985]

Ha. Was just about to post this

 

[RedheadDane]

Lopez might take red for the fourth time, just to lose it again in the ITT. He's clearly unable to keep red for longer than one stage, so if he wants to win the Vuelta he'll have to take red in the flat stage 21.

Nah. On stage 20. He only rides in the red jersey one day at a time, so stage 21 would be his final ride in the jersey day.

 

[skippo12]

This is a real deal.
There were uphill finishes by now, but this is a proper high mountain stage. And it's short.
The well prepared will come to the surface.

Yeah, he was so weak that he actually won the stage

Quintana had to slow down for him in the steep parts of the climb multiple times. Valverde recovered in the flatter parts and in the end he was the fastest in a punchy sprint. Those two things aren´t mutally exclusive.

 

[Blanco]

Quintana had to slow down for him in the steep parts of the climb multiple times. Valverde recovered in the flatter parts and in the end he was the fastest in a punchy sprint. Those two things aren´t mutally exclusive.

Quintana stepped off the front when he noticed that Valverde dropped 2-3 bike lengths, Roglic took over and continue to set fast tempo, Valverde made connection in about 20-30 m, and that's it.
Would you please name at least 2 of those multiple times when Quintana slowed down.

 

[RedheadDane]

I just love the fact that the only flat stretch on the entire stage has gravel.

 

[Broccolidwarf]

All-Ireland Football final: that's the only other event of interest.

F1 in Belgium

 

[del1962]

Thunderstorms expected on final climb

 

[Broccolidwarf]

This stage start is going to be crazy - everyone will want to get away.