Vuelta a España Vuelta a España 2021: Stage 18 (Salas - Alto d'El Gamoniteiru, 162.6 km)

[Ilmaestro99]

One would have thought that Bahrain would have been better off putting anyone of Padun/Poels/Tratnik/Caruso in with such a big break, but no

It's a shame Landa pulled out. He could get in that break.

You have Haig for GC and Mader to pull for him as last man. Then you have Poels, Caruso and Padun who can either form the train or go in the breakaway should Haig reach them towards the end. It's a no brainer that you send one of them, ideally caruso or Poels who are both experienced riders, into the break.

 

[hayneplane]

Break will need at least 6 minutes based on that composition unless Majka is on another super day

 

[roundabout]

seems like the right distance to go for another Majka attack

 

[carton]

Just heard Jack Haig on yesterday's Cycling Podcast: "I wouldn't want to let the chance of getting on the podium slip through my hands and not have tried anything. So I'd like to try something, whether it's today, tommorow or the next two days, just so I can finish the race and say 'look, I tried'. It didn't work or it did work. And we can leave happy after that."

Apparently, that something for Jack Haig means sitting in the bunch and trying means to trying to hold on and what actually makes him happy is taking advantage of any opportunities to have his teammates smother the race. Come on, just say that you're not here to shag spiders, you're here to get paid, and that means riding steady and countering if and when possible. No shame in that. Well, it's a shame for the race, but getting furloughed sucks, we get it. But why say stuff like that just unless you're willing to back it up. I don't get it.

 

[SHAD0W93]

How much points can Majka get if he finishes first on the first 3 climbs?

 

[sir fly]

How much points can Majka get if he finishes first on the first 3 climbs?

25 I think.

 

[noob]

What did he say?

I mean with Movistar & Ineos so depleted, it's up to Bahrain & Jumbo to control the race. And that final climb is so so brutal, a breakaway without the right climbers will be doomed (even with 4 minutes at the bottom of the climb).

Just that he's probably gonna want to take it since it's the queen stage!

It was an answer to if they will now ride defensively. He didn't want to discuss tactics though.

(Sometimes I get the feeling Grisha gives his riders more freedom than most.)

 

[Ilmaestro99]

WTF is Bahrain doing. They have the squad to tear the race apart and try something, they instead pull for roglik

 

[BlueRoads]

Cycling is ruined. Unless you have the far superior rider "trying something" means you let your team ride tempo until shortly before the finish, no matter what.
//depression mode off.

 

[Rackham]

IMO with that close up earlier, Mas doesn't look so good.

Just that he's probably gonna want to take it since it's the queen stage!

It was an answer to if they will now ride defensively. He didn't want to discuss tactics though.

(Sometimes I get the feeling Grisha gives his riders more freedom than most.)

I think they might try for the stage with Sepp Kuss.

I say that because I remember the Angrilu last year when Roglic was in difficulty, Kuss paced him to the finish line when he could have probably fought for the stage with Hugh Carthy (he was strong enough).

Roglic himself said it was sh*tty for Kuss, so I imagine there might be some intent there based on that lost opportunity. And if not, Roglic himself could go for it.

 

[noob]

IMO with that close up earlier, Mas doesn't look so good.



I think they might try for the stage with Sepp Kuss.

I say that because I remember the Angrilu last year when Roglic was in difficulty, Kuss paced him to the finish line when he could have probably fought for the stage with Hugh Carthy (he was strong enough).

Roglic himself said it was sh*tty for Kuss, so I imagine there might be some intent there based on that lost opportunity. And if not, Roglic himself could go for it.

Wouldn't surprise me either.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Looks like a long day for G. Martin.

 

[Red Rick]

Today is the day of Antonio of the house of Nibali.

It is in The Sack.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Today is the day of Antonio of the house of Nibali.

It is in The Sack.

The big Nibali vs Aru showdown that the Italian media have been waiting for since 2015.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

I think Kuss has to be the favourite.

Will Kruijsvijk find his Motirolo legs?

 

[Mayomaniac]

I think Kuss has to be the favourite.

Will Kruijsvijk find his Motirolo legs?

Let's hope that he won't find his Angello descending skills...
All jokes aside, I like Steven.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Vlasov paying tribute to Vino's 2007 tour by riding on looking like a mummy, expect a victory today followed by an acrimonious exit.

 

[ice&fire]

Looks like the peloton has split in the descent

 

[Pirazziattacks]

WTF is Bahrain doing. They have the squad to tear the race apart and try something, they instead pull for roglik

I'm not sure they'd want to be tearing the race apart after Haig looked vulnerable yesterday. It would be a bit mad to try anything too out there and risk losing minutes on the final climb.

 

[ice&fire]

Looks like Roglic only has two teammates with him

 

[Ilmaestro99]

Let's hope that he won't find his Angello descending skills...
All jokes aside, I like Steven.

A lot of bad luck and for 2 Giri looked like he could dominate a grand tour

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Looks like Roglic only has two teammates with him

He also has Bernal

 

[roundabout]

Shame it's only Bahrain there with significant numbers

 

[Pirazziattacks]

Neil Stephens was asked about Landa withdrawing and didn't seem overly keen to defend him. He seemed to basically be saying Landa dropped out because his form wasn't where he wanted it to be.

 

[roundabout]

seems like MR group is waiting