Vuelta a España Vuelta a España 2022, stage 14: Montoro - Sierra de la Pandera, 160.3k

[Riek s]

If you want to try somthing you probably need to wait until 4 and 3 km from the finish. After that there are a few 200meter sections that are relative steep, but everything else is 'rolling' and the final 1.5km is easy. That means that 2km to put in a distance... don't think we will see any difference here. (Unless someone cracks... or gets sick)

 

[RedheadDane]

I don't think there was much cycling in April 2020.

I know that. I was just saying that I almost missed another big event.

This year I was much smarter; just got home after a family breakfast and watched the race.

 

[KZD]

Plenty of ascending at the end of the two coming days.
Finally, an MTF stage (or even both ) could go to the GC contenders.

Sierra Nevada maybe, tomorrow I don't think so.

 

[houtdffan]

This is a continuation of stage 11 and still preparation for stage 15. Hence JV should pace the peloton in reasonable tempo until they blow up. That is on the final climb. The bunch should by then be reduced and plenty of road still left ahead. Ideally Roglič, Evenepoel and Mas to be there. Plus a couple of youngsters. Maybe a domestique or two to burn from other teams. After that some severe tempo changing to be applied. Mas will target Rogla, youngsters will target all. Rogla to bluff a bit if and when needed. Hopefully for Evenepoel to do more work chasing and closing attacks than Roglič following. It's a risk but i do feel that some preparation for stage 15 is still needed.

what is more likely is Remco goes to the front and sets the tempo, preventing these changes in tempo you have mentioned

 

[tobydawq]

I know that. I was just saying that I almost missed another big event.

This year I was much smarter; just got home after a family breakfast and watched the race.

Pardon me for not remembering exactly when Easter fell in 2020...

 

[Potomac]

I'm not falling for that profile. I've been fooled before at this vuelta. The TTT has been the most exciting day so far.

 

[Kaptain Kool]

I have a really hard time getting into the mindset of the people who designed this Vuelta. Maybe some random food delivery person said: "Why don't you design a route with nothing watchable in the last 2 weeks except Sierra Nevada?" And then Fernando Escartin exclaimed: "I love it!" smh

 

[CyclistAbi]

what is more likely is Remco goes to the front and sets the tempo, preventing these changes in tempo you have mentioned

We'll see.

P.S. I meant stage 12 not stage 11 in my original answer.

 

[Oliver]

I hope there's some action tomorrow, but i doubt it...

 

[SHAD0W93]

Same, I cannot watch a race after the fact. I'd rather look at the result instantly, lulz.

I usually look at the results and then off to the thread.

 

[Sciatic]

Plenty of ascending at the end of the two coming days.
Finally, an MTF stage (or even both ) could go to the GC contenders.

For tomorrow, I’m not sure who will drive the peloton to keep the break close enough? If Jumbo had their Tour squad-level team here, I would anticipate them wanting to make it hard stage and keep GC in play, but they absolutely don’t have the strength here. Not sure if Ineos does either. And QS only needs to keep the break within range enough to not allow someone like Kelderman to sneak back into the GCpicture.

 

[sir fly]

For tomorrow, I’m not sure who will drive the peloton to keep the break close enough? If Jumbo had their Tour squad-level team here, I would anticipate them wanting to make it hard stage and keep GC in play, but they absolutely don’t have the strength here. Not sure if Ineos does either. And QS only needs to keep the break within range enough to not allow someone like Kelderman to sneak back into the GCpicture.

I'm counting on fatigue to chase down the breakaway.
More likely on Sunday, I agree, but that's the idea.

 

[YavorD]

How can you create such a horrible profile right before the "Queen" (it's an insult to the real queen stages to call that stage queen) stage of the race?
Probably 15 people right before the steep ramp. Remco to set the tempo, others grasping for air at his wheel.

 

[groogster]

Well... tomorrow it could be mayhem if you ask me... Which team has the strength to prevent a breakaway similar to the one on Peñas Blancas stage? Do you think Evenepoel and QS will be bothered with someone like Hindley, Carapaz, De La Cruz, Valverde, Carthy, Padun getting on a large break? I don't think so, so it will be up to Ineos, Jumbo, Astana and UAE to bring them back. Do they have the strength to do it? IMO no they haven't... so i'm looking forward to absolute chaos to happen

P.S. just whisful thinking

 

[Sciatic]

I'm counting on fatigue to chase down the breakaway.
More likely on Sunday, I agree, but that's the idea.

I will join you in hoping so!

 

[Nostradumbass]

P I N O T

 

[Tonton]

GC -wise, the final climb will be raced fast and it will peel from the back. Who will be able to follow the two bulls? Mas will defend or stick a banderilla for the Spanish TV and go back to sucking wheels and defending.

Like in July, the mix for 3-10 is boiling, the fight is on: now. If one of them is in the break, several teams may work and help JV/QS before or even during the final climb.

Three Spaniards at 3-4-5: I like it!

Jai Vine showed signs of weakness, Carapaz is back to his old tricks, Padun deserves it, but I want a Pinot win real bad. That stage would logically have been a pre-Vuelta target, a stage for the breakaway before a huge GC showdown on Sunday. Allez Thibaut!

Aside from Alaf' (get well!), there are not too many French riders who can win bike races outside of the Poitou-Charentes region these days: Tibopino is one who can, and I hope that it stays that way.

If Pinot doesn't win, I want Nibali to go nuts as soon as the flag goes down, solo all the way, and win by one hour.

 

[groogster]

GC -wise, the final climb will be raced fast and it will peel from the back. Who will be able to follow the two bulls? Mas will defend or stick a banderilla for the Spanish TV and go back to sucking wheels and defending.

Like in July, the mix for 3-10 is boiling, the fight is on: now. If one of them is in the break, several teams may work and help JV/QS before or even during the final climb.

Three Spaniards at 3-4-5: I like it!

Jai Vine showed signs of weakness, Carapaz is back to his old tricks, Padun deserves it, but I want a Pinot win real bad. That stage would logically have been a pre-Vuelta target, a stage for the breakaway before a huge GC showdown on Sunday. Allez Thibaut!

Aside from Alaf' (get well!), there are not too many French riders who can win bike races outside of the Poitou-Charentes region these days: Tibopino is one who can, and I hope that it stays that way.

If Pinot doesn't win, I want Nibali to go nuts as soon as the flag goes down, solo all the way, and win by one hour.

Nibali please, Nibali, just one last time!! Flying to win it and taking that red jersey by storm!! It would be a dream but... not going to happen

 

[gregrowlerson]

GC -wise, the final climb will be raced fast and it will peel from the back. Who will be able to follow the two bulls? Mas will defend or stick a banderilla for the Spanish TV and go back to sucking wheels and defending.

Like in July, the mix for 3-10 is boiling, the fight is on: now. If one of them is in the break, several teams may work and help JV/QS before or even during the final climb.

Three Spaniards at 3-4-5: I like it!

Jai Vine showed signs of weakness, Carapaz is back to his old tricks, Padun deserves it, but I want a Pinot win real bad. That stage would logically have been a pre-Vuelta target, a stage for the breakaway before a huge GC showdown on Sunday. Allez Thibaut!

Aside from Alaf' (get well!), there are not too many French riders who can win bike races outside of the Poitou-Charentes region these days: Tibopino is one who can, and I hope that it stays that way.

If Pinot doesn't win, I want Nibali to go nuts as soon as the flag goes down, solo all the way, and win by one hour.

Even if that happens he'll only move up to 6th on GC

 

[gregrowlerson]

Nibali please, Nibali, just one last time!! Flying to win it and taking that red jersey by storm!! It would be a dream but... not going to happen

Maybe The Shark should race on until next year's Giro. This isn't a great grand tour way to go out, unless he happens to sneak a stage win somewhere.

 

[Tonton]

Nibali please, Nibali, just one last time!! Flying to win it and taking that red jersey by storm!! It would be a dream but... not going to happen

Vincenzo takes red, Thibaut wins the stage...

The mushrooms in my pasta must be tainted .

 

[Tonton]

Even if that happens he'll only move up to 6th on GC

Then he will unleash his power and Pog will quit cycling...

 

[Skalman]

Regardless break or fall I'm in here- career defining moment

 

[gregrowlerson]

Then he will unleash his power and Pog will quit cycling...

I heard that Remco has already made him quit.

 

[Kaptain Kool]

Well... tomorrow it could be mayhem if you ask me... Which team has the strength to prevent a breakaway similar to the one on Peñas Blancas stage? Do you think Evenepoel and QS will be bothered with someone like Hindley, Carapaz, De La Cruz, Valverde, Carthy, Padun getting on a large break? I don't think so, so it will be up to Ineos, Jumbo, Astana and UAE to bring them back. Do they have the strength to do it? IMO no they haven't... so i'm looking forward to absolute chaos to happen

P.S. just whisful thinking

idk a couple riders around 15th in GC, getting into a break and moving up to 7th and 8th doesn't sound much like chaos to me.