Vuelta a España Vuelta a España 2021: Stage 3 (Santo Domingo de Silos - Picón Blanco, 202.8 km)

[SafeBet]

Jumbo being so bad makes it an interesting race going forward. I hope Bahrein uses its numbers, and not just by setting tempo with a train.

 

[Earns1985]

Jumbo being so bad makes it an interesting race going forward. I hope Bahrein uses its numbers, and not just by setting tempo with a train.

Jep, the bad thing is that there are not so many stages where you can try long range attacks and use your numbers... Stage 9 could be the first one where we see a bit of action earlier in the race..

 

[Red Rick]

Jumbo being so bad makes it an interesting race going forward. I hope Bahrein uses its numbers, and not just by setting tempo with a train.

I don't think Jumbo will be this bad going forward. Kuss will probably just mix being awful with being godlike as per usual.

I think Bahrain may have numbers but nobody who can really win, while Ineos are already down to Yates and Bernal and Yates is also almost a minute down already. Movistar is Movistar.

Stage 7 should be extremely interesting but my guess is also it's so early in the race nobody is gonna go balls to the wall crazy tactics yet.

 

[BlueRoads]

If Bahrain and Movistar kinda work together, and for instance Padun and Valverde set off together, that would be really interesting. Who's going to get them back? In case they are caught by Roglic and Yates Mäder and Mas could go and when they are caught Landa and Lopez go...
God prevent Movistar working randomly at the front and then Bahrain just training the rest of a climb and everyone including Roglic arrives with them together.
But I don't actually believe in God.

 

[SafeBet]

Stage 7 should be extremely interesting but my guess is also it's so early in the race nobody is gonna go balls to the wall crazy tactics yet.

One can dream of La Spezia 2015.
That was even earlier in the race.

 

[Red Rick]

One can dream of La Spezia 2015.
That was even earlier in the race.

That was Astana.

Also I think only the first climb of that stage is hard/tricky. I think it's likely a break wins easily and the favorites will go hard for 2kms and that's about it.

I think elaborate attacks are more likely on Calar Alto on stage 9, but I still kinda don't really see it. I think the climbs on stage 9 tend to be really exposed, but I'm not sure if that's generally headwind or not.

I think Velifique can go either way between balls deep crazy and just an uphill sprint.

 

[CyclistAbi]

In JV defence the plan was to loan the jersey. Working hard and going all in as a team would go against that goal. Not only on stage 3 but a couple more stages to come. Where basically JV doesn't want to defend the jersey.

A bit troublesome was Roglič was left isolated on the last climb. This was gambling but still they likely know Roglič is in good shape and should be able to cope just fine. And the rhythm was high enough for most of the favourites to ride on the limit. Basically favourites properly tested each other out. Just as one could expect on a stage like this. All in all JV is happy regarding the position they are in. Roglič is rather happy too and we all know what having a happy Roglič usually comes down to.

 

[Red Rick]

In JV defence the plan was to loan the jersey. Working hard and going all in as a team would go against that goal. Not only on stage 3 but a couple more stages to come. Where basically JV doesn't want to defend the jersey.

A bit troublesome was Roglič was left isolated on the last climb. This was gambling but still they likely know Roglič is in good shape and should be able to cope just fine. And the rhythm was high enough for most of the favourites to ride on the limit. Basically favourites properly tested each other. Jjust as one could expect on such stage. All in all JV is happy regarding the position they are in.

I doubt Kruijswijk and Kuss dropping was planned. Kruijswijk didn't go on altitude, but he should get better as the race goes on. Not sure how Bouwman prepared, but he got like 12th in the Giro and should be much better than this.

This is the B-team but it should still be more than passable for most of what this race has to offer normally. Roglic looked super easy surfing the wheels. I think it was smart to not try and take seconds or bring Mas back. Don't show your hand and don't risk keeping red. No point in making yourself a target for a few seconds.

I also think Jumbo won't ride to win stage 6. That can go to the breakaway if everyone is scared of the Roglstomp.

 

[CyclistAbi]

All in all when i have seen the roster i sad to myself it is a "droppable team". Meaning they won't be able to control the race through and through. I agree that the game plan for now likely doesn't include plan A being try to win the race in week 1. Plan A likely is to stay in such position for a while. Team to start providing best support in week 3.

P.S. Obviously you need a leader like Roglič in your team to make such plan work.