Vuelta a España Vuelta a España 2021: Stage 14 (Don Benito - Pico Villuercas, 165.7 km)

[Devil's Elbow]

A very weird set of stages gives way to the only MTF of this second week.

The first part of the stage is very easy, although the fight for the breakaway should cause another fast opening hour. The first climb of the day, Puerto Berzocana, comes about halfway into the stage.

This climb backs nicely into the biggest garage ramp of the race, Collado de Ballesteros. With the way this second week has been, GC action cannot be automatically ruled out. It's the first 3 kilometres of the profile below.

The descent into Guadalupe, which is reused for the final climb, doesn't look overly difficult. The ensuing lap is narrow and ends with a steep descent. The final climb starts with a detour through the centre of the town (2.8 kilometres at 4.4%), then rejoins the main road 2 kilometres into the profile below.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

I have ambivalent feelings regarding the stage. Ballesteros is a leg breakaer but it's almost 70 km from the finish (no attacks by top3 guys expected but maybe, just maybe Ineos will try something there). The final climb is long but IMO it's too shallow (by at least 1%) for large gaps.

 

[SafeBet]

Movistar renowned PIM PAM tactics unleashed today. Be afraid.

 

[ice&fire]

Movistar renowned PIM PAM tactics unleashed today. Be afraid.

They're short in numbers to put into practice all they learned in Portugal

 

[Red Rick]

Attacks on Ballesteros could certainly be possible in the sense of "let's just smash the peloton to bits and see what happens"

I don't think gaps will be huge on the top though and the peloton should condense together quite quickly after that.

 

[roundabout]

I can't really see a scenario where Kuss and Kruijswijk will have to work early after the various issues for the 3 other major teams.

I guess there may be some kind of KOM battle, but that's about it in terms of action before the last climb.

 

[Red Rick]

Interestingly enough, no crazy steep pinches in the Ballesteros.

If a really dangerous break goes up the road I'm sure Jumbo can keep the peloton close enough for it to not matter or send their own domestiques along. Anyone has to make an effort on that climb anyway

Now for the final climb, it's just too perfect for a 200m Roglstomp at the end. Too easy all around, final few hundred >10%.

I can see the peloton slowing down tremendously after Ballesteros and the break winning. Real opportunistic things to be left for tomorrow maybe?

 

[IndianCyclist]

the stage will be decided by what Movistar wants to do. If they donot chase then breakaway will win. maybe MOVI of MAL attacking MAS on MTF

 

[roundabout]

Verona, Rojas, Erviti and probably still hurting Oliveira are not enough to control the stage by themselves

 

[Lequack]

Cort to win again. He is the best climber at the moment. Eiking to extend his lead by 10 seconds.

 

[Rackham]

the stage will be decided by what Movistar wants to do. If they donot chase then breakaway will win. maybe MOVI of MAL attacking MAS on MTF

Maybe, but Jumbo showed on Wednesday they're also capable of controlling a stage for the stage win.

And tomorrow really does look like prime Roglstomp turf. If he's physically up for it (i.e. hoping the crashes haven't knocked anything out of him), he could be tempted to go for the stage.

 

[Red Rick]

Maybe, but Jumbo showed on Wednesday they're also capable of controlling a stage for the stage win.

And tomorrow really does look like prime Roglstomp turf. If he's physically up for it (i.e. hoping the crashes haven't knocked anything out of him), he could be tempted to go for the stage.

I mostly don't think the risk/reward ratio for tomorrow is that great. You have to fry Kuss also on the final climb, you might run into a counter, etc etc. Valdepenas you can practically empty a magazine into Rogla and he'll still take time on that.

It's also down to which break goes. Valdepenas they had a lot of help from TBE and they wouldn't have pulled it back if it had been a 15 man break.

The highest priority for Jumbo will be to stop crazy attacks and keep it together until the final climb, not necessarily the breakaway not winning.

 

[sir fly]

Roglič isn't the first I think about looking at this weekend's profiles.
No doubt he'll prefer to take some more time, yet the terrain's more friendly towards his rivals than it's been so far.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Rampas Inhumanas, would love to see a Contador style attack from a rider not interested in a top 10, it's a shame Bala crashed, as Lopez leaving Mas isolated probably isn't the sensible move here.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

A winner from a breakaway. GC action will take place in last kilometeres resulting in rather small gaps between favourites. Primoz may snatch some seconds at the very end.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Rogsmash

 

[Escarabajo]

Here is where Superman start to unleash his powers!

 

[Lequack]

I am listening to this to motivate myself for this stage

View: https://youtu.be/Jn0FF1KwL4I

 

[glassmoon]

Roglstomp or bust!

 

[Lequack]

 

[will-10]

Over to you, Movistar. You're our only hope.

 

[sir fly]

Some solar farms on their way I spotted.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Here is where Superman start to unleash his powers!

Tactically it's a given Mas is aware of it? Or were you sarcastic and i didn't get the joke.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Seve Ballesteros just became Severe Ballesteros.

So much golf talk. Gosh I'm getting old.

 

[gregrowlerson]

To the OP: Thanks for doing up another stage thread, but I'm interested to hear more on your thoughts on a "weird set of stages".

I think it's a well designed second week. Three stages with category 2 climbs towards the end (creating all sorts of outcome possibilities), and with a mixture of downhill and uphill finishers, followed by a flat stage, and now two semi proper mountain stages, held on the weekend no less.

Apart from maybe an ITT, I don't see what is missing here?