Vuelta a España Vuelta a España 2021: Stage 17 (Unquera - Lagos de Covadonga, 185.8 km)

[Krzysztof_O]

No more hiding, it's time for a 2-day punch in the Cantabrian mountains that will probably decide the race. On the first day the riders will tackle 4 climbs (3rd cat, 2x1st cat and Esp cat) finishing in Lagos de Covadonga, one of most iconic Spanish climbs and interesting tourist attraction. In the middle there will be two ascents of 1st cat Collada Llomena, a hard and steep climb as well.

Collada Llomena:

Lagos de Covadonga:

source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipe...OVADONGA_8.jpg/800px-LAGOS_DE_COVADONGA_8.jpg

I'm expecting serious GC action. The top guys can't neglect Eiking threat anymore. I think Movistar and Ineos will ride aggresively to put time into him and other contenders and the race will explode. They won't be saving their energy and wait until Gamoniteiru. They can't afford luxury of a good TT (unlike Primoz). That being said, I think Primoz won't just wait and follow wheels: if he feels good he will attack or counter-attack in last kilometers to put some time into Movistar guys before Gamoniteiru. Hopefully it be interesting on these steep sections of Covadonga.

 

[Escarabajo]

Even if nothing happens something will happen!

 

[Red Rick]

Llomena should be a great addition to the Vuelta except for using it like this.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Even if nothing happens something will happen!

Don't kill the suspence. Even if nothing happens, Primoz will attack. He's a tough guy not fearing this monstrous descent at the end.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

I hope that Mikel Bizkarra can win

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Profiles:

Lots of climbs in the region have been changed to their Asturian name this year, so Altu de Hortigueru isn't actually a new climb for the race.

Next up is Collada Llomena. Like Mirador del Fito in the 2018 Covadonga stage, won by Thibaut Pinot, it's climbed twice. Being one of the harder cat. 1 climbs of the race, the double ascent should greatly whittle down the peloton.

Then it's time for the real deal, the second of three ESP climbs of this edition, the mythical Lagos de Covadonga. Almost every source of profiles online insists on drawing the line at Lago Ercina, but in practice we finish slightly lower down, like every year, as in the profile linked here - the forum software refuses to post the image.

For those in need of a more detailed profile: the one below matches as far as Lago Enol, 12.4 kilometres in, then the road continues to descend for another 200 metres before rising once more at 4.6% for the final 500 metres.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Probably Majka again.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

I hope that Bizkarra or Landa will win.

 

[Escarabajo]

Majka, Bardet, Caruso, Padun, Storer.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

Majka, Bardet, Caruso, Padun, Storer.

Bizkarra? Bouchard?

 

[ice&fire]

2016 and 2018 editions weren't bad, but they were before a rest day. We're in for a repeat of the 2012 or 2014 borefests of GC contenders looking at each other or attacking at best for 20m.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

This stage looks like it could be fun, and if there is a cow sighting I'm all there for it.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Bring out the big guns.

 

[Rackham]

It's a nice climb & more for "racers" than Thursday's final leg grinder IMO.

It should be fun. The final 2km are too easy though, so attacks must come sooner.

 

[hfer07]

I got Bernal vibes -also Yates looks good for this stage.


It's up to Roglic

 

[Tricycle Rider]

That's twice this race that I'm the second one to post a thread, nothing was up yet when I started typing. Please delete.

Perhaps the mods could just merge the threads?

Yours has a slightly different flavor to it and posters have already posted in it, so, it's all good.

 

[Red Rick]

Perhaps the mods could just merge the threads?

Yours has a slightly different flavor to it and posters have already posted in it, so, it's all good.

I merged them it's no big deal.

 

[Sciatic]

Hope that Gesink’s crash today doesn’t hamper his performance tomorrow—Jumbo is going to need him.

 

[sir fly]

I'd say it's a good thing the points aren't doubled on the altitude stage finishes.
The profile implies the way the stage's gonna be raced... the flat stretches mainly.
A lot should depend on the breakaway. As often is the case.

 

[yaco]

Majka, Bardet, Caruso, Padun, Storer.

Storer is suited to medium mountain stages - He is yet to show he can ride on stages with multiple cat 1 and HC climbs.

 

[Descender]

I'm pretty sure I could ride Lagos de Covadonga blindfolded just from watching it on TV.

 

[Lequack]

Sprinters apart from Jakobsen will quit en masse before the stage. Then Eiking will attack the final climb and keep the red jersey, extending his lead.

 

[Izzyeviel]

Finally, a wild mountain stage appears

 

[Sciatic]

Sprinters apart from Jakobsen will quit en masse before the stage. Then Eiking will attack the final climb and keep the red jersey, extending his lead.

That's right, I almost forgot we have this nice subplot of how long Eiking can hold onto red (in virtual status during the stage or by the end) and whether G. Martin might do better on the long climbs and claim virtual red before Roglic grabs it by the end of the stage, or the following day.

 

[ice&fire]

I'm pretty sure I could ride Lagos de Covadonga blindfolded just from watching it on TV.

Honestly, I don't find it that memorable