Vuelta a España Vuelta a España 2021: Stage 19 (Tapia - Monforte de Lemos, 191.2 km)

[Devil's Elbow]

A dream day for the breakaway. This is the last chance for a lot of riders to win a stage, but the best parts won't be televised...

The opening third of the stage is very mountainous, with the riders going from close to sea level to 900 meters in just over 22 kilometres, despite there being two short descents on this section. There are two KOMs here, Alto da Sela d'Entorcisa...

...and Alto da Garganta, which would have been a cat. 1 had they not categorised Sela d'Entorcisa separately.

A much longer descent takes us to Alto de Barbeitos, the final categorised climb of the day despite there being almost 130 kilometres to race after it.

The remainder of the stage is quite straightforward, with the main obstacle being the rise just before the intermediate sprint (4.5 kilometres at 4.3%). The finish is more or less flat, with a 120-degree right-hander at 300 metres from the line.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Bardet vs Storer

 

[Red Rick]

Jumbo to OOT Jakobsen?

 

[search]

Jumbo to OOT Jakobsen?

as Trentin put it the other day: Vuelta time limits unfortunately are infinite

 

[Red Rick]

as Trentin put it the other day: Vuelta time limits unfortunately are infinite

One rider OOT today. It seems like they're only a joke if the Vuelta overestimates the average pace.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Finally a stage through this area not just along the coast!

I mean, it's a transitional stage, but if areas round here are paying to host, then that can only be a good thing. The Terras do Eo have got a gazillion amazing climbs ripe for discovery.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Finally a stage through this area not just along the coast!

I mean, it's a transitional stage, but if areas round here are paying to host, then that can only be a good thing. The Terras do Eo have got a gazillion amazing climbs ripe for discovery.

There is just no way to make you people happy, is there?

 

[Libertine Seguros]

There is just no way to make you people happy, is there?

That was actually a positive post. There's no need for a sawtooth stage here, as stage 20 is that and for pacing purposes a transitional stage is fine here. But if the race has hosts willing to pay around this area, then a great stage is possible in the near future. Hence the "that can only be a good thing" bit.

 

[Mayomaniac]

That was actually a positive post. There's no need for a sawtooth stage here, as stage 20 is that and for pacing purposes a transitional stage is fine here. But if the race has hosts willing to pay around this area, then a great stage is possible in the near future. Hence the "that can only be a good thing" bit.

Yeah, I have a similarr attitude when it comes to places in the western part of Südtirol being willing to pay for a stage. Yes, the last time we got only the Martelltal/Val Martello MTF, but it's a start (even if nothing else has happened since then).

 

[Red Rick]

Yeah, I have a similarr attitude when it comes to places in the western part of Südtirol being willing to pay for a stage. Yes, the last time we got only the Martelltal/Val Martello MTF, but it's a start (even if nothing else has happened since then).

Maybe we need a thread for all the cool climbs kids who's brains can't process anything more than cyclingcols are missing.

 

[ice&fire]

This stage has potential for silly tactics from UAE and BEX in support of their sprinters.

 

[search]

well, it's actually a stage where such tactics could make sense, isn't it?!

Don't think they are able to go full out from the start and then control it till the finish, like Bora tried for Sagan in the Tour last year, though. Should be a day for the breakaway

 

[SHAD0W93]

Bernal and Ineos to go on a raid.

 

[roundabout]

I suppose Movistar may be somewhat vulnerable at the start with 3 helpers left , but any change in the top 5 on GC after tomorrow would require a very particular set of circumstances

 

[CyclistAbi]

Jumbo Visma likely getting some sun exposure tomorrow hence don't' forget to wear sun cream. That would be my only advice to give.

The rest looks solid.

 

[Lequack]

Pidcock should win this stage from the break.

 

[DJ Sprtsch]

Would be nice if Spain finally got a win.
Aberasturi from the brek. Or one of the Izaguirres.

 

[movingtarget]

DSM versus the rest in the break. An aggressive first half of the stage could make it more interesting.

 

[RedheadDane]

Would be nice if Spain finally got a win.
Aberasturi from the brek. Or one of the Izaguirres.

If they don't get a win, either today or tomorrow (and I don't think Sunday is much of a chance), it'll be the first time the host-nation of a GT didn't get a single stage win since... when?

 

[DJ Sprtsch]

If they don't get a win, either today or tomorrow (and I don't think Sunday is much of a chance), it'll be the first time the host-nation of a GT didn't get a single stage win since... when?

Don't know. But Spain hasn't got a win in any of the Grand Tours this season. So it's either today or tomorrow. Can't see a Spanish win on Sunday either.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

If they don't get a win, either today or tomorrow (and I don't think Sunday is much of a chance), it'll be the first time the host-nation of a GT didn't get a single stage win since... when?

1996 Vuelta.
Took until stage 19 and (the retirement gift to?) Contador on Angliru for a home win in 2017 though.

 

[joe_papp]

If they don't get a win, either today or tomorrow (and I don't think Sunday is much of a chance), it'll be the first time the host-nation of a GT didn't get a single stage win since... when?

Per Cillian Kelly, this has only ever happened three times:

Vuelta - 1996
Tour - 1999, 1926
Giro - never

 

[Unterlenkerfahrend]

Going by Bernal's instagram story he's similar enthusiastic as we are about this stage.
However that's hopefully a good sign and he's happy to go for it tomorrow.

 

[Red Rick]

Going by Bernal's instagram story he's similar enthusiastic as we are about this stage.
However that's hopefully a good sign and he's happy to go for it tomorrow.

There's a part of me that would think about going ham on the climb if I'm Bernal just to see what happens.

 

[RedheadDane]

1996 Vuelta.
Took until stage 19 and (the retirement gift to?) Contador on Angliru for a home win in 2017 though.

Per Cillian Kelly, this has only ever happened three times:

Vuelta - 1996
Tour - 1999, 1926
Giro - never

So, not first time since Vuelta 1996.