Vuelta a España Vuelta a España 2021: Stage 8 (Santa Pola - La Manga del Mar Menor, 173.7 km)

[Devil's Elbow]

The fourth stage without categorised climbs, and the second that's a weekend stage.

Not much to say about the route. There's two uncategorised hills just after the intermediate sprint, but Unipublic evidently didn't feel like throwing the inevitable breakaway of Caja Rural, Burgos and Euskaltel a bone.

The finish is the least technical of this year's race, with wide roads and no major turns. Being at a beach resort town, it's also pan-flat.

 

[roundabout]

Weather forecast?

 

[Tricycle Rider]

As everyone would know by now I'm just here for the scenery, as long as we get some shots of the water I'll be happy. Otherwise sprinters, do your job!

 

[Red Rick]

First 50km looks like cross to cross-tail wind

 

[search]

going by the map, this finishes in the middle of the ocean. There surely gotta be some wind?!

 

[Tricycle Rider]

going by the map, this finishes in the middle of the ocean. There surely gotta be some wind?!

Maybe they're trying to keep it exciting, do the riders have to switch to sailing?

 

[RedheadDane]

Maybe they're trying to keep it exciting, do the riders have to switch to sailing?

Naah... just swimming.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Naah... just swimming.

Well, whatever makes the sprinters happy... we'll just have to go with it.

 

[Anderis]

going by the map, this finishes in the middle of the ocean.

It has to be a very small ocean, then.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Surely Roglic can also make jumps on water skis, so he has to be the hot favourite here.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Assuming the finish is on elevated ground, although thinking back to when they had that weird/dangerous tt on some sort of boardwalk a few years back, this sort of move isn't beyond the organisers;

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Surely Roglic can also make jumps on water skis, so he has to be the hot favourite here.

Yes, yes, I can totally see that! However, are they taking the tide into the equation here?

If it's a considerable low tide the stage leaders could feasibly make it. The rest of the peloton will unfortunately have to get their safety/swimming jackets on.

EDIT: If this is truly what the race organizers had in mind the timing in this stage will be absolutely crucial!

 

[hayneplane]

Unless the wind blows this will be a candidate for worst weekend stage of any Grand Tour this century.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Here's the one for the sprinters (again)..
.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KL9mRus19o&ab_channel=BlackstreetVEVO

 

[Nick2413]

Can we fast forward to the stage 9 thread?

 

[gregrowlerson]

You know it's bad when you start longing for the imagination of one Christian Prudhomme.

 

[Cagalitroso]

Naah... just swimming.

You know it is not true

 

[BlueRoads]

Only today did I learn the word "waterfiets". I now know what they have to do.

 

[RedheadDane]

You know it is not true

Of course! Silly me. That's how I've always wanted them to have a stage whenever they start across a body of water!

 

[Red Rick]

Only today did I learn the word "waterfiets". I now know what they have to do.

Spoiler: eat?

this is also called "waterfiets"

Tbh I prefer the "kapsalon" or "hair salon"

 

[Red Rick]

Doesn't look like wind is playing ball today

https://twitter.com/x/status/1428975660584914947

View: https://twitter.com/ammattipyoraily/status/1428975660584914947

 

[SHAD0W93]

Should be Jakobsen’s turn for the stage win.

 

[glassmoon]

Hopefully no GC contender will be thrown out of the mix because of some stupid crash...

 

[CyclistAbi]

Just keep the GC guys safe and have a good sprint!

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Finally great terrain for some serious racing. Primoz to attack hard on the monstrous Chicquita&Cenizes combo absolutely destroying the field. It will be like Romme&Colombiere but even more epic.