Vuelta a España Vuelta a España 2021: Stage 7 (Gandia - Balcón de Alicante, 152.0 km)

[Devil's Elbow]

The first stage with multiple actual climbs. This being Valencia, it comes as no surprise that the major mountains still elude us for a little longer, but this should still be a good day of racing.

Climbs
Puerto La Llacuna

Beniarrés (first 6.8k only)

Puerto de Benilloba (first 2.9k of profile 1 + 1.5k at 3.3% + final 1.5 of profile 2)

Puerto de Tudons

Puerto El Collao (final 16.4k only)

Puerto de Tibi (final 5.4k only)

Balcón de Alicante

Better profile of the steep part:

 

[ice&fire]

Full stage TV broadcast

No public allowed in the final climb due to risk of fire

Balcón de Alicante is somewhat similar to its sister climb Xorret del Catí. They're on the same mountain range, just 6km apart from each other.

I expect those who lost time today to lose more time tomorrow

 

[Red Rick]

The first stage with multiple actual climbs. This being Valencia, it comes as no surprise that the major mountains still elude us for a little longer, but this should still be a good day of racing.

Climbs
Puerto La Llacuna

Beniarrés (first 6.8k only)

Puerto de Benilloba (first 2.9k of profile 1 + 1.5k at 3.3% + final 1.5 of profile 2)

Puerto de Tudons

Puerto El Collao (final 16.4k only)

Puerto de Tibi (final 5.4k only)

Balcón de Alicante

Better profile of the steep part:

In my opinion this is far easier than Xorret de Catí

I think the little flats inbetween steep pinches are very important. Also Xorret has a full km at 15%, Balcón de alicante has like 200m at that gradient.

 

[Escarabajo]

More of the same in this stage. But they will arrive more tired than today. Today could have been a prelude of what is going to happen in this stage.

 

[Rackham]

I think this one will definitely be for the GC guys. At the very least, I expect Movistar to go for the stage & attempt to build on their positive dynamic.

Full stage TV broadcast

No public allowed in the final climb due to risk of fire

Ban Primoz Roglic then, i.e. his acceleration(s) will produce sparks on the road.

 

[Leinster]

More of the same in this stage. But they will arrive more tired than today. Today could have been a prelude of what is going to happen in this stage.

I wouldn't say "more of the same."

Ineos and Movistar will try to isolate Roglic on the cat2 climbs. We'll see if Kuss et al were sandbagging on Monday.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Roglic or Bernal. Mas third. Movistar should attack on the last climb, they have the GC threats to play with it now before they lose one or two.

 

[solo80k]

I hope Movi / Ineos / BV has balls to create ambush. It's not extremely hard but it's time to pressure some rivals

 

[Leinster]

Roglic or Bernal. Mas third. Movistar should attack on the last climb, they have the GC threats to play with it now before they lose one or two.

Before.

They need to isolate Roglic early in the stage, and then start sending guys up the road that Roglic will have to chase. Preferably in the company of an Ineos rider (but not Carapaz obv) who Roglic will also have to chase.

If this all happens on the final climb, it will be too late to have an impact.

This will also be a good stage for sending guys in the break (Erviti, Oliveira/Pidcok, van Baarle/but also Oomen/Hofstede)

 

[solo80k]

Before.

They need to isolate Roglic early in the stage, and then start sending guys up the road that Roglic will have to chase. Preferably in the company of an Ineos rider (but not Carapaz obv) who Roglic will also have to chase.

If this all happens on the final climb, it will be too late to have an impact.

This will also be a good stage for sending guys in the break (Erviti, Oliveira/Pidcok, van Baarle/but also Oomen/Hofstede)

I think Padun + Yates/Carapaz + Valverde should go long range on Collao if Roglic is isolated or only with Kuss.

 

[pink_jersey]

Haig and Carapaz should really try going long range here. Don't know about Movi. The terrain should be good for Valverde.

 

[Red Rick]

Apart from the first and final climb, none of the climbs are steep enough to do anything.

 

[Leinster]

Apart from the first and final climb, none of the climbs are steep enough to do anything.

They could drop Carthy if nothing else.

 

[Red Rick]

They could drop Carthy if nothing else.

Too steep to drop Carthy maybe?

 

[IndurainsTdF1994]

¿Bernal will break already tomorrow and we’ll pretend it’s not a procession to Santiago due to - Valvemas?

 

[johnymax]

If Roglič gets isolated on those two 2nd cat. climbs, the whole Jumbo Visma team should be sent home.

 

[Red Rick]

If Roglič gets isolated on those two 2nd cat. climbs, the whole Jumbo Visma team should be sent home.

Sorry they didn't send Sky home when all but Froome finished outside time limit on Formigal.

 

[johnymax]

Sorry they didn't send Sky home when all but Froome finished outside time limit on Formigal.

Yes but it wasn't in the first week of a GT

 

[Escarabajo]

Movistar to get 3rd, 4th and 5th tomorrow.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Will take the room with a Balcón. I want to have a nice view for this one.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Before.

They need to isolate Roglic early in the stage, and then start sending guys up the road that Roglic will have to chase. Preferably in the company of an Ineos rider (but not Carapaz obv) who Roglic will also have to chase.

If this all happens on the final climb, it will be too late to have an impact.

This will also be a good stage for sending guys in the break (Erviti, Oliveira/Pidcok, van Baarle/but also Oomen/Hofstede)

Movistar might sacrifice Valverde by attacking wary but no way they have Mas or Lopez attack before the last climb. Ineos and Movistar can isolate Roglic before the second to last climb and I can see Carapaz or Yates attacking on that climb.

 

[Leinster]

Movistar might sacrifice Valverde by attacking wary but no way they have Mas or Lopez attack before the last climb. Ineos and Movistar can isolate Roglic before the second to last climb and I can see Carapaz or Yates attacking on that climb.

Probably Yates. Like I said, Carapaz going will just trigger a Movistar chase, and would render isolating Roglic a pointless exercise.

 

[topcat]

Padun to go long range for Landa to bridge. Shockingly, Landa to not be able to get across so Padun puts the hammer down.

 

[JosefK]

Padun sneaks away at the opening and crests the first climb (after dropping Sepp Kuss), never to be seen again.

 

[Escarabajo]

Padun to go long range for Landa to bridge. Shockingly, Landa to not be able to get across so Padun puts the hammer down.

So you are saying that Padun will do a Landa to Landa?