Vuelta a España Vuelta a España 2020: Stage 17 (Sequeros > Alto de la Covatilla , 178.2 km)

[Libertine Seguros]

I suppose some local knowledge would come handy on today's profile.
Covatilla just doesn't look 45"+ sufficient.

It's really good they're going through Candelario on the way there, hopefully they go up from Béjar to Castañar and then through Candelario then down to the base of the climb. Castañar has some narrow twisty roads on a small climb, then Candelario is a small and very narrow cobbled climb (was used last time when Ben King won). Unfortunately the first couple kilometres of this side, up to the Puerto de la Hoya, are quite shallow, but with those two uncategorised climbs in the run-in, getting yourself placed in the bunch if somebody decides to drill it from the last part of La Garganta will be very key and it could get quite crowded. My fear is that, however, the pace will slacken between climbs as everybody tries to hold on to their resources until the main climb begins.

Would also be nice if they'd climb La Garganta via La Hontilla, with 2,6km @ 8,3% and a max of 17% in the middle of it, rather than the more consistent version they are ascending. They're doing the fist bit to Peñacaballera on the cat.3 climb beforehand, then they're climbing the last bit as part of the traditional side, but they're leaving out the steeper bit in the middle, which is a shame as it would look like this:

 

[solo80k]

If Roglic can finish 1st in GC this Vuelta, it can be the best result for GC rider since Froome's double, right? I mean Froome had 1st and 3rd during Giro &Tour double, Big Tom 2nd and 2nd the same time.

 

[roundabout]

The racing probably would have been somewhat different, but without the time bonuses the top 3 would have been within 15 seconds going into today and it could have been a proper showdown even against super-Jumbo into a possible headwind.

 

[dercuforever]

Legs will be tired, stage is quite fast. This may impact last climb.

 

[Leinster]

If Roglic can finish 1st in GC this Vuelta, it can be the best result for GC rider since Froome's double, right? I mean Froome had 1st and 3rd during Giro &Tour double, Big Tom 2nd and 2nd the same time.

Yes, and the first to get a 1st and 2nd in GTs plus a monument win since Fignon in 89

 

[Red Rick]

Yes, and the first to get a 1st and 2nd in GTs plus a monument win since Fignon in 89

Great year.

Will lose Velo d'Or to Alaphilippe

 

[Billie]

Carapaz chasing alone?

 

[burning]

Mas wants to win this Vuelta

 

[Cassirer]

Short moment over already, not clear what happened

 

[Red Rick]

Short moment over already, not clear what happened

Carapaz was sleeping, got gapped when peloton split under Movi pace.

 

[ice&fire]

Short moment over already, not clear what happened

Movistar accelerated in a nasty turn followed by nasty ramp

 

[IndurainsTdF1994]

Surprised by the thinning down of TJV.

 

[Pantani_lives]

Those birds are showing Movistar how to set up an aerodynamic formation.

 

[burning]

Ineos is actually losing 2-3 riders now, looks like Carapaz will not have a lot of chance to do anything before Covatilla

 

[Red Rick]

Surprised by the thinning down of TJV.

Gesink was already doing work. Hofstede is in the break.

 

[SafeBet]

Surprised by the thinning down of TJV.

Ineos is down to 2 riders I think.

 

[Red Rick]

Ineos is down to 2 riders I think.

It's 3.

 

[Pantani_lives]

Whatever plans Movistar is concocting, there will always come a point when Mas needs to drop the others, and that won't be obvious.

 

[sir fly]

The stretch between Garganta and Covatilla doesn't appeal to me.

 

[Keram]

Mas could find his inner Contador to entertain us.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

I have been very vocal about how tactically inept the management at Lotto has always been, but credit where credit's due, Movistar is right up there with them.

 

[hayneplane]

Dan Martin should have a crack from a long way out. It’s his only real chance of gaining enough time to get a podium finish and he has a big enough gap to Enric Mas that even if he gets caught and dropped he should be able to hang onto 4th.

 

[richwallone]

Dan Martin should have a crack from a long way out. It’s his only real chance of gaining enough time to get a podium finish and he has a big enough gap to Enric Mas that even if he gets caught and dropped he should be able to hang onto 4th.

Tough to attack when Movistar is drilling it... They won't let him go anyway.

 

[ice&fire]

Carapaz left with no teammates

 

[saganftw]

carapaz appears to be alone now, amador at the back